Mansplaining, the art of men explaining things to women in a condescending manner, has officially made its debut on “Jeopardy!”—and honestly, it couldn’t be more fitting. In a world where this behavior is as common as coffee breaks, why wouldn’t it find a place on Alex Trebek’s iconic game show?
The term has become so prevalent that it’s now recognized in the Oxford English online dictionary. For those who have somehow avoided this uncomfortable phenomenon, here’s the definition: mansplain (v.): (of a man) to explain something to someone, usually a woman, in a condescending or patronizing way. The key to this definition? It’s all about the attitude.
Jeopardy! Highlights Mansplaining
In an October episode of “Jeopardy!”, the contestants encountered the clue, “This 21st-century word happens when a male patronizingly tells a female about a topic she already understands.” One quick-thinking contestant, Alex, hit the buzzer and correctly answered for $600 in the “That Explains It” category. Still scratching your head? Here are some prime examples of mansplaining in action.
Take the case of tech expert and professor Lisa Markham, who had to shut down a gentleman who felt it necessary to explain Java, a programming language, to her. Then there’s the guy who tried to explain an article on women in tech to a woman who, wait for it, authored it! Thanks for the unnecessary input, buddy!
And let’s not forget the chaps who flooded the comments section of a HuffPost article discussing why mansplaining made the “Jeopardy!” cut in the first place. Oh, the irony is delicious.
Examples of Mansplaining
One particularly enthusiastic fellow seemed to believe that everyone needed his “insight.” Here’s a tip, dude: if you’re the type who explains everything to everyone, you might find your social circle rather lacking. Pro tip, bro: wait for someone to ask before you dive into your encyclopedia of knowledge.
Another misguided individual seems to think that being a “fact-checker” gives him the right to correct others in everyday conversations. Spoiler alert: that’s not how learning works. People don’t need a “hall monitor” for information during casual chats.
And then there’s the classic Men’s Rights Advocate who insists on ignoring the clear message from women, sociologists, and even “Jeopardy!” itself: mansplaining is a real issue. Listening might just be a better approach.
It’s amusing how some guys assume every instance of mansplaining comes with a brilliant opinion from a man. Spoiler: they don’t. The term actually originated from Rebecca Solnit’s 2008 essay, “Men Explain Things to Me,” in the Los Angeles Times. See what we did there?
Conclusion
We could spend ages compiling examples of mansplaining and dissecting them for our bewildered companions. After all, they’re just well-meaning guys trying to help us ladies who, obviously, must be confused despite our qualifications and experiences. But with Trebek on the case—he is a man after all—perhaps we’ll witness a decrease in mansplaining incidents. Or maybe not.
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Summary
Mansplaining was humorously highlighted on “Jeopardy!” as a relatable phenomenon affecting many women. The term has gained traction, even making it into dictionaries, and serves as a reminder of the condescending explanations often given by men to women. As society continues to evolve, hopefully, we’ll see less of this behavior—especially with prominent platforms calling it out.