Calling adult sisters 'the girls'

There's no problem for the French. 'Fille' means either 'girl' or 'daughter', depending on the context.

I have three daughters (as do close friends) and we have no inhibitions about referring to each others’ daughters (all in their late 30)s or 40’s) “the girls”.
I have 2 sister in law who are both single, one a single mother one in her 60’’s and one 70. For years they were referred to as “the girls” but now that they are great-aunts to my grandchildren, they are known throughout the family as “the aunties”.
Why is it demeaning or all the negative things referred to here?
They are loved and the terms are used with love and affection.

I don't have a problem with 'girl(s)' being used as a synonym for 'daughter(s), whatever their age.

I don't mind 'girl used in other contexts either, as long as it's not intended to be offensive or demeaning, or patronising in an ageist way, if you know what I mean!

I think my middle aged sons quite like being referred to as 'the boys'. And my 3 granddaughters are always 'the girls'.
It's all harmless really.

I can’t see the problem, and find it a bit petty to be offended by it.

No its a term of endearment. I love being a "girl"

I think having a healthy level of self respect means you say when you dont like something.

I wonder if those who don't mind it have generally been supposed to be younger than they were and so were assumed to be actual girls well into their adulthood. I was still called a lass or a girl when I had a baby on my back and a toddler in a buggy. I think they'd stopped assuming I'd only need to pay a half fare on the bus by then.

Then there was the one time in Edinburgh (also after two kids had arrived in my mid to late twenties), when I was cycling home from an evening meeting. As I came down onto Princes Street, well wrapped up against the cold (balaclava with a helmet on top, etc), some "young lad" in a group yelled "Are you a laddy or a lassie?" I smiled to myself and cycled on. Why would I care what someone unknown to me and who was not being aggressive thought about anything?

? If one has a healthy level of self-respect I'm not sure anyone can belittle one. Any belittling they try is about them, not you.

It’s certainly better than being a witch or a bi that rhymes with it. Or a bunch of old chooks, come to that.

I don't find it demeaning at all. I meet my old friends from our nursing training days, for lunch occasionally. We always describe ourselves as "the girls" despite all being in our 70's.

I think it's just a term of endearment.

I am in The girls walking group. We are all in our 60's. I like it!

Beswitched - I don't like 'girls night out' or 'going out with the girls' either. So no, it doesn't have different connotations for me I'm afraid.

One of my daughters uses these phrases and they just make me cringe.

I would genuinely have thought 'oh they don't mind it' if I hadn't heard from my friend that yes they do mind it, or caught the irritated looks from my neighbour's nieces when she does this.
It's just made me realise that, whether it would ever have occurred to me or not, it makes some people feel belittled.

That's interesting my manager uses it and I hate it.

Someone I know uses it of the team she is in charge of. It is a close, small team and ages range from late thirties to late fifties. Nobody cares.

I'm now wondering what else they could be called... the women, the team, the carers? The girls somehow seems more friendly and less formal to me. Maybe that's why it's used. The person in question is certainly a very good team builder.

Well as I said, it didn't occur to me until I realised how it annoyed some people, that it was something some people found belittling. But having learnt that I would avoid using it.

I haven't heard anyone complain about the term 'girls night out' or 'going out with the girls' so I suppose that has different connotations.

I would never refer to unmarried sisters as 'the spinsters', and don't know anyone who would, to answer someone upthread.

I suppose it does sound a bit childish. But it wouldn't bother me. Why would anyone hate it?

I call my two daughters the girls, and my collective female grandchildren the girls.
If my daughters and I are discussing my son and husband, we call them the boys.
I’m sixty six, but at work am frequently called young lady, why would I mind??

When I say to my husband/ OH/ DH whatever you wish "I'm going out with the girls " his eyes roll.
Could be the young members of our family, could be friends I have known for decades.
All he knows is that tomorrow she won't be cooking !

Sue I love it "The Grubs"

I'm often asked how are the girls. My dd's are in their 40's but don't mind. When young being close of age they often chose to dress the same One friend used to call them the girlies.
My father was one of three and did object when people asked "Hows the children?" when they were there and they could have been asked themselves.
My mother had her girlfriends and was thrilled when on holiday together they were called "The Golden Girls", after the American sitcom she thought she must have looked glamorous.

Nell8

I refer to my grown up sons and their wives collectively as "the kids". It saves time!

Me, too. I have four DC, three of whom are married. Reeling off all their names would take so long! When referring to my own DC I have been known to refer to them collectively as the Grubs. They don’t seem to mind.

NotSpaghetti

I loathe the phrases "the girls" and "the boys" once people are adults.
It's both lazy and ridiculous in my opinion.

I loathe them too. Don’t know about lazy, but ridiculous, very.

Beswitched. The girls, the spinsters? There are far more important things to worry about.

I refer to my grown up sons and their wives collectively as "the kids". It saves time!