grrrl, n. orig. and chiefly U.S.
Brit. /gəːl/, U.S. /gərl/[see also note s.v. grrr int.]
Forms: 19– grrl, 19– grrrl [Also with capital initial.]
[Blend of grrr int. and girl n. Earliest as a variant of girl in riot girl n.]
A young woman perceived as strong or aggressive, esp. in her attitude to men or in her expression of feminine independence and sexuality; (esp. in early use, spec.) = riot girl n.
Freq. as a self-designation.
| 1992 Option July–Aug. 11/2 That's equal treatment, grrrls, not temporarily preferential treatment to make up for a history of wrongdoing. 1994 Amer. Spectator Feb. 105/3 In her straitlaced and mainstream way, she embraces gender-bending with all the enthusiasm of a combat-boots-and-lipstick grrrl. 1998 Entertainm. Weekly 1 May 76/4 The juxtapositioning gets at the heart of the grrl politic: A woman can be fun and babeular and still be sharp. Like a kitten with a whip. 2001 Progressive (Nexis) Jan. 27, I was always a grrrl. I was always blatantly sexual and raunchy... I relate to the grrrls of today. I read their zines and go to their web sites. |