chauvinist

This page is about the eponym chauvinist

Meaning

a person (usually male) with an exaggerated devotion towards a gender, person or group; a person with excessive patriotism

For example

  • My uncle is a male chauvinist who thinks the only thing women are good for is cooking and cleaning.

  • The athletes' allegiance to their country is beyond patriotism. I'd consider it chauvinism.

Note:
In the 20th century, the term "male chauvinism" became synonymous with chauvinism. Using the word "chauvinist" to refer to a person who showed devotion to a person or country, rather than a gender, fell out of regular usage.

Origin: Nicolas Chauvin was a legendary - probably fictitious - 19th-century French soldier serving under Napoleon Bonaparte. Because of his apparent deep devotion to his country and leader, he was laughed at for exaggerated patriotism.

Quick Quiz

A male chauvinist typically

a. wants male staff on his team

b. prefers women to men

c. sings the national anthem with pride
a) wants male staff on his team b) prefers women to men c) sings the national anthem with pride

Contributor: Tara Benwell