Dictionary

wimmin en · NOUN

Etymology

Eye dialect, also used as a feminist spelling of the word women in order to deliberately exclude the word men.

Meanings

1. (alt-of, pronunciation-spelling) Eye dialect spelling of women.
   alt of women
   • ‘No flamin’ good for anyone, wimmin. Leave ’em alone, I says. Stick to the old turps, I says.’ 1960, J. E. Macdonnell, Don't Gimme the Ships, Melbourne: Horwitz Publications, page 111:
   • I thank the lord that thare aint menny wimmin in the wurld who want tu know evry thing. I kalkerlate that 9 out ov evry 10 ov the wimmin who luv their huzbands and glory in their children, will sa that tha had ruther be looked down upon in luving tenderniss than tu be looked up tu in silent aw. 1871, Josh Billings, Hiz Sayings, page 27:
   • "Damn waste of time," he always said of the convention. "Nothin but drinkin and wimmin, and none of the wimmin even worth lookin at, let alone that other thing." 2009, Stephen King, Nightmares & Dreamscapes, page 195:
2. Feminist spelling of women.
   • So eager was I to meet new wimmin-lovin' wimmin—or even just some womyn-lovin' womyn—one didn't need a Ouija board to figure out that I would fling myself forthwith into the world of regional Amazonia. 2011, Terry Castle, The Professor: And Other Writings, page 215:
   • This is about wimmin sticking together (bois too), and fighting for equal rights and opportunities for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. 2005, Dawn Keetley, Public Women, Public Words, page 425:

Forms