limp-wrist

1 9.9

Showing weak, feminine movements often used as an offensive way to mock gay men

adjective
/lɪmp rɪst/

Slur

: afeminado

In the play, the character was portrayed with a limp wrist to emphasize his flamboyant personality.

Examples

You know, when she told me, it did make me think about all the jokes that we make, and, you know, we did impressions of your English teacher, when he went around with his limp wrist.

All of Us Strangers (2023)
Some people unfairly associate a limp wrist with weakness, but it's simply a style of expression.
He spoke with a limp wrist, making it clear he didn't fit the traditional masculine mold.

Antonyms

masculine

85 3.7

Having qualities people often connect with men, for example strength and toughness

manly

79 3.0

Showing strength, courage, or a strong will often seen as men's qualities

Surface Forms

limp-wrist positive

Morphology

limp-wrist = limp + wrist (semi-transparent) = limp + wrist

The components 'limp' + 'wrist' are literal and identifiable, but the sociocultural, derogatory meaning referring to effeminate mannerisms is an extended, culture-specific sense not directly deducible by all learners.

Etymology

Limp-wrist is made of limp ('weak, not stiff') and wrist ('the joint between the hand and arm'), and it images a floppy hand movement. People used this phrase to describe gestures seen as effeminate or linked to homosexuality, so the term is now widely seen as rude or offensive.