banshee

The term banshee originates from Irish folklore (bean sí, meaning "woman of the fairy mound"), referring to a female spirit whose mournful wail or keening foretells the death of a family member. In modern colloquial usage, however, the term is frequently used as a pejorative metaphor to describe a woman who is screaming, shouting, or behaving in a manner perceived as hysterical, angry, or unhinged.

The term is contested largely due to its specific application to women. Critics argue that calling a woman a "banshee" is a sexist tactic used to police women's tone and volume, dismissing valid anger or enthusiasm as madness or noise. It is often cited as a gendered double standard, as men who shout or speak loudly are rarely compared to mythological monsters known for screeching. Conversely, some speakers maintain that the term is merely a descriptive hyperbole for a specific high-pitched or piercing vocal quality, arguing that the comparison is based on the acoustic similarity to the folkloric wail rather than an intent to demean the gender of the speaker.

Example:
"During the debate, the columnist dismissed the female candidate's rebuttal as the 'shrieking of a banshee,' ignoring her policy points completely."

Example:
"He told his wife to stop acting like a banshee just because she raised her voice to be heard over the television."