sissy

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Sissy is a pejorative for a boy or man to indicate that he fails to behave according to the traditional male gender role. Generally, it implies a lack of the courage and stoicism which are thought important to the male role. It might also imply interests seen as strikingly un-masculine. This pejorative may be given to anyone as an insult. Several variations, such as "sissy boy" or "sissy baby", exist and any term can become pejorative or insulting if preceded by "sissy" and applied to a boy or a man. Sissy is the male converse of tomboy, but has none of the latter's positive connotations. Even amongst gay men, behavior thought of as sissy or camp produces mixed reactions. Some men reclaim the term for themselves. (See also genderqueer). Other similar terms include "wimp," "wuss," "femboy," and "pussy."

Sissy (sometimes just sis) can also be a relationship nickname formed from sister, given to girls to indicate their role in the family, especially the oldest female sibling. It can also be applied to girls as a term of affection from friends who are not family members.

For some girls and women, sissy is used so pervasively it replaces the given name.

For some, sissy takes on more specific meanings in the transgender, infantilist, and BDSM communities (especially through forced feminization or petticoating practices). (See sissy (transgender))

In popular culture

The effeminate male was a recurring character type in early vaudeville. Although the character was usually neither explicitly gay nor particularly weak or timid, he would generally have a high voice, exaggerated vocal mannerisms, and a mincing gait, or gestural mannerisms. Actors such as Lou Costello and Joe Besser, and, to a lesser extent, Curley Howard, brought this archetype to film.

Further reading

• Padva, Gilad and Talmon, Miri (2008). Gotta Have An Effeminate Heart: The Politics of Effeminacy and Sissyness in a Nostalgic Israeli TV Musical. Feminist Media Studies 8(1), 69-84.
• Padva, Gilad (2005). Radical Sissies and Stereotyped Fairies in Laurie Lynd’s The Fairy Who Didn’t Want To Be A Fairy Anymore. Cinema Journal 45(1), 66-78.

See also

• Bubba
• Tomboy
• Butch and femme
• Girly girl
• Sissyphobia