Mansplaining has officially hit the mainstream, thanks to its recent feature on “Jeopardy!” This month, the iconic game show spotlighted the phenomenon, recognizing just how prevalent it is in today’s society. After all, the act of a man condescendingly explaining something to a woman is unfortunately all too common. Given its ubiquity, it was only a matter of time before the term found its way into Alex Trebek’s world.
The popularity of the term has soared to such heights that it was even included in the Oxford English Dictionary. For those unfamiliar with the uncomfortable experience of being mansplained, let’s clarify: to mansplain (v.) means for a man to explain something to someone, typically a woman, in a way that is perceived as patronizing or condescending. However, it’s important to note that not every explanation from a man qualifies as mansplaining; the key factor is the condescending tone.
Jeopardy! Highlights Mansplaining
In a recent episode of “Jeopardy!”, the clue for $600 in the category “That Explains It” was: “This 21st-century word happens when a male patronizingly tells a female about a topic she already understands.” Contestant Lisa correctly answered “mansplaining.” Still puzzled? Here are a few classic examples to help illustrate the concept.
Take, for instance, tech expert Dr. Maya Larkin, who had to firmly shut down a man attempting to explain Java, a programming language, to her. Or consider a man who tried to explain an article about women in tech to a woman who had actually authored it. Thanks, but her expertise might just render his explanation unnecessary.
The Irony of Mansplaining
In the comments section of a Huffington Post article, a number of men felt compelled to explain why the term “mansplaining” made it onto “Jeopardy!” Talk about irony. There’s also a guy who seems to think that his incessant need to explain everything is a sign of knowledge. Spoiler alert: no one wants a human encyclopedia who doesn’t know when to stop talking. A little advice, my dude? Wait until someone asks you a question before launching into a monologue.
Then there are those who misunderstand the essence of teaching. Learning doesn’t involve condescending attitudes, and no, men aren’t required to be the “hall monitors” of information. As someone who has worked as a fact-checker, let me assure you that people don’t need unsolicited corrections during casual conversations.
A Call for Understanding
This one fellow proudly identifies as a Men’s Rights Advocate. Instead of harboring resentment, how about listening to what women, sociologists, and even “Jeopardy!” are communicating? Mansplaining is a genuine issue that deserves acknowledgment. We’d hate for your mother to have to intervene.
Moreover, it’s amusing how he assumes that every instance of mansplaining must originate from a well-reasoned male opinion. Let’s be real: that’s not the only perspective men possess. The term actually stems from Rebecca Solnit’s 2008 essay, “Men Explain Things to Me,” which was published in the Los Angeles Times. See what we did there?
Moving Forward
There’s a treasure trove of examples of mansplaining that we could explore, and we could easily pen multiple articles dissecting it for those still confused. Clearly, these well-meaning men are merely trying to assist the women who, despite their qualifications and experiences, seem to be lost. However, with Trebek shining a light on this issue, perhaps we can expect to witness fewer instances of mansplaining in action. But let’s be real—probably not.
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Conclusion
In summary, the appearance of mansplaining on “Jeopardy!” serves as a timely reminder of the ongoing issue of condescension in communication. As society continues to address this phenomenon, it’s crucial for everyone—regardless of gender—to engage in respectful and thoughtful dialogue.
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