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Synonyms for ‘Fat’ that aren’t Cringeworthy…?

(335 Posts)
FannyCornforth Thu 12-May-22 09:55:39

Hello! smile
I am fat.

But I do not like saying ‘I am fat’.

But neither do I like ‘curvaceous’ (probably the best of a bad bunch); ‘cuddly’ (bleugh); ‘curvalicious’ (give me strength); or the word de joure ‘thick’ (confused)

Can you think of any acceptable, non-cringe words for not being slender? Because I can’t

Thank you!

FannyCornforth Fri 13-May-22 08:36:12

These are great! Probably not in the way I indeed, though!
‘Matronly’grin

What is that quote about Queen Mary I think, something about a ship at full mast ‘sallying forth’…?
Or is it Wodehouse? He will have some fabulous descriptions of the famous Wooster aunts.

Riverwalk re the thin lady buying a size 20.
I’ve always bought a lot things in a much larger size - I like them to hang and droop (there was another thread about this not so long ago).
When I was a size 8 I would buy jumpers and t shirts in a 16 say.

However, I’m definitely running out of sizes now! Many shops I like don’t even sell the size I want.

The advice to just say your dress size isn’t helpful, especially when many people seem to think anything over a size 16 equals ‘fat’.

I’m probably a size 20/22 but would prefer clothes in a 24.
Seasalt size 22 is perfect.
I can no longer buy dresses from Weird Fish, and I’m ‘just about managing’ with Boden.

Thanks all.
Keep ‘em coming smile

FannyCornforth Fri 13-May-22 08:36:40

Indeed = intended hmm

snowberryZ Fri 13-May-22 08:52:47

MissAdventure

Cuddly? Nah..
Built for comfort, not speed? Nah...

Bonny seems a nice descriptive word.

But not all fat people are bonny.
Neither are a lot of slim people.
So that wouldn't work.

grannyactivist Fri 13-May-22 08:53:12

Right now I have clothes in my wardrobe that I wear day to day that range from size 16-20, so quoting a size may not be as helpful as you’d think.

I once surprised a man by making a very pertinent comment about a subject that he assumed I would have no knowledge of. My response was that to tell him that I wasn’t just well-rounded physically. (I’m shaped like a weeble right now, but the inches are slowly coming off.)

snowberryZ Fri 13-May-22 08:54:05

My great grandmother used to describe fat women as being Big Boned.

varian Fri 13-May-22 09:04:44

Did Alexander McCall Smith not describe
his lady detective, Precious Mbotswe, as "traditionally built"?

FannyCornforth Fri 13-May-22 09:12:45

He certainly did varian, and I think that ‘traditionally built’ definitely has a touch of the Wodehouses.
I sure AMcCS is a fan

MissAdventure Fri 13-May-22 09:31:52

Full figured.
Thicc..

FannyCornforth Fri 13-May-22 10:53:41

I think full figured is still in the lead.
I do like voluptuous - but if you are describing yourself, you sound like you are showing off in a Nigella style way. And mad

MissAdventure Fri 13-May-22 11:00:55

Oh nooo!
You'll be pouring and licking your lips whilst thrusting a spoon into something gloopy if you do a Nigella..

MissAdventure Fri 13-May-22 11:01:24

Pouting!! Sigh...

JaneJudge Fri 13-May-22 11:34:30

when one of my sons was little he told someone that his mum was massive like a viking (were vikings massive? I have no idea grin )

elfies Fri 13-May-22 11:35:21

I dumped a fiance once for telling me I was plumptious

JaneJudge Fri 13-May-22 11:35:54

can we see the dresses btw? smile I tend to buy a size up now rather than my normal size as I just feel more comfortable

FannyCornforth Fri 13-May-22 11:36:18

That’s stupendous!

Do you wear plaits?
Someone upthread said that she pictured me as being ‘tall with plaits’.
Perhaps she was confusing the two of us?

Peaseblossom Fri 13-May-22 11:39:46

Bonny, voluptuous

FannyCornforth Fri 13-May-22 11:41:11

This is one. I’m taking inspiration from my Nan in her hay day www.seasaltcornwall.com/top-terrace-cotton-voile-floral-dress

I hate it when you can’t ‘save’ pictures.
I do also like the style of dresses that Kirstie Alsop wears.
You look great until you turn side ways!

FannyCornforth Fri 13-May-22 11:42:40

JaneJudge

can we see the dresses btw? smile I tend to buy a size up now rather than my normal size as I just feel more comfortable

Yes, I’ve always hated tight things.
As I’m getting older, I realise that I probably have ‘sensory issues’

JaneJudge Fri 13-May-22 11:43:32

Oh that's lovely smile

Grandmabatty Fri 13-May-22 11:44:24

Me too Fanny. I don't wear tights, can't bear long sleeves or buttons. I hate feeling constrained.

SophiaCharm1 Fri 13-May-22 11:44:30

How about "large" or "well-developed"?

JaneJudge Fri 13-May-22 11:44:32

FannyCornforth

JaneJudge

can we see the dresses btw? smile I tend to buy a size up now rather than my normal size as I just feel more comfortable

Yes, I’ve always hated tight things.
As I’m getting older, I realise that I probably have ‘sensory issues’

Same here.Did you try snag tights in the end? I gave my Mum a pair to try and even she likes them!

rowyn Fri 13-May-22 11:48:54

How about cuddleworthy ?

Daffydilly Fri 13-May-22 11:49:39

I just asked my husband and he said, "Sexy" and wriggled his eyebrows at me with a smile. I'll settle for that. ?

Philippa111 Fri 13-May-22 11:52:48

I think the thing is to really 'own' and accept our bodies and weight just as we are and find contentment within that. There is a billion dollar industry telling us we are not/ will never be ok and we are constantly bombarded with the message that we are not good enough and that constantly undermines our confidence and works against our self acceptance. When we get off the rollercoaster of self doubt and self loathing and totally love and accept ourself just as we are, in this moment( not how we hope to become) we then become immune to the opinions of others and free. That's very difficult as everything is (has been) stacked against women regardless of our weight.

We can be described as ..all skin and bone, skinny, lardy, fat, obese, voluptuous, overweight, fading away, cuddly, too big, grossly overweight, at risk of heart attack, unattractive, curvaceous, slender, attractive, **able, bedable,s*xy, not s*xy on and on and on.... These are the value judgements of men. I see that men are not judged or indeed judge themselves in these ways. A man with a pot belly often just rubs it and laughs! There is a book, 'Fat is a Feminist Issue', that is worth a read. Power to us all whatever our body shape or size!