cougar

The slang term cougar refers to an older woman who primarily seeks romantic or sexual relationships with significantly younger men. While the exact etymology is debated, the term gained traction in Western Canada during the late 1990s—often attributed to the Vancouver dating scene or a specific dating website—before exploding into global pop culture through television shows and movies in the mid-2000s. The metaphor draws a direct comparison to the large wild cat, implying a predatory nature in the woman's search for a partner.

Opinions on the term are sharply divided. Proponents and some self-identified "cougars" view the label as empowering, arguing that it subverts traditional gender roles by celebrating older women’s sexual agency, confidence, and continued desirability. Conversely, critics view the term as derogatory, ageist, and sexist. They argue that the predatory animal metaphor dehumanizes women and perpetuates the stereotype that an older woman's sexuality is aggressive, desperate, or unnatural, noting that there is no equivalent predatory label commonly used for older men who date younger women.

Example:
"After her divorce, she jokingly embraced the cougar label, enjoying the energy and perspective of the younger men she met."

Example:
"Many sociologists argue that the cougar archetype reduces complex relationships to a punchline about age differences and predation."