Karen

The term "Karen" is a pejorative slang label typically applied to a white woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of normal social conduct. The archetype is characterized by specific behaviors, such as demanding to "speak to the manager" to belittle service workers, or weaponizing victimhood by calling the police on people of color for innocuous activities. While the exact etymology is debated—with theories ranging from Dane Cook's comedy routines to the character in the film Mean Girls—the term gained significant traction on Black Twitter in the late 2010s. It serves as a modern evolution of the historical AAVE term "Miss Ann," describing white women who use their social privilege to police the behaviors of others.

Perspectives on the term are polarized. Those who defend its usage argue that it is a necessary tool for critiquing power dynamics, specifically highlighting how white women can endanger Black people by invoking systemic authority. From this viewpoint, it is not a slur because it targets behavior and privilege rather than an immutable characteristic. However, critics argue that the term has morphed into a misogynistic and ageist insult used to dismiss any woman who complains or asserts herself, regardless of whether her grievance is legitimate. Some feminist commentators suggest that the gendered nature of the term unfairly focuses on women while similar behaviors in men (sometimes labeled "Kens" or "Kevins") receive less vitriol.

Example:
"After the flight was delayed, she went full Karen at the gate agent, demanding a full refund and threatening to get him fired."

Example:
"I don't want to sound like a Karen, but this soup is actually cold and I think I need to send it back."