A Rose By Any Other Name Is a Boy

Spoken or written English lately? Is so, you probably have never much noticed how male is the default designation.

But, what’s in a name? Specifically, what’s in the names we use for denoting people?

It’s just that they’re mostly male.

Come on, it’s true, guys. Bros. Dudes. Man, it’s kinda the way we talk, man…

We use all of these first three; guys, dudes, — and even bros— among groups of mixed sex and gendered people, but even more often among just male people.

A short history (HIS story!) about that for you guys.

Dudes, at first were fancy men in Yankee Doodle Dandy garb. But, then all that regalia and dress up went west. In the west, cowboys and dude ranches emerged. All the hats, belts, chaps, and boots began to refer to Dude ranches, even though women signed on.

You guys, as in “Come on you guys, let’s go,” began as a sort of substitute for “thou.” Thou meant all of you, but also, just “you.” Maybe that was confusing so people tuned into one particular guy: Guy Fawkes. Slowly thou and “all of you” became “You guys.” Meaning everybody, but clearly originating with a ‘traditionally’ temperamental, male guy who wanted to blow it all up and start over.

Bros is brother, or brotherhood abbreviated. A united cause, or band of brothers steered the way. It became just more thoroughly male when tech bros entered the frame and began steering our consumerism and social norms.

And, man. Do I have to tell you about man, man?

Is a rose male?

We associate flowers, and particularly roses, with women and romance. But a rose is equal parts male and female.

Like most flowers, the sex life of a rose depends upon bees.

Hence, we care to teach most children about the birds and the bees, (because, even now, sex education requires euphemisms for many people.)

Flowers, as a feminine object, wasn’t always the case. Gladiolas and orchids in ancient times referred to gladiators and testicles, respectively.

Of course, it takes a strong man to admit he loves flowers and fragrance, but it is a growing trend to send men flowers. And a lovely trend to grow and tend them in gardens to attract birds, bees, and people.

Let’s remember that in saying “…a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” Juliet was referring to Romeo, not her own, sweet, fair, and female self.

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