Metrosexual/neandersexual

Posted by ESC on January 28, 2004

In Reply to: Are these new terms? posted by Shae on January 28, 2004

: : : I collected a couple of terms that are new to me on an online discussion forum. The posters believe they originated the following:

: : : NEANDERSEXUAL - A traditional male - the polar opposite of metrosexual.

: : : RECIDIVIST RELATIONSHIP -- Going back to an old boyfriend or girlfriend.

: : Neandersexual. Is this new? Well, I haven't seen it before, and I hope not to see it again. Obviously the term is intended to suggest a sexually primitive beetle-browed early man that is anything but sapiens (Neanderthal, a designation of certain early hominids based on remains found in the valley of the Neander River). We are supposed to believe that Neanderthal men were sexual primitives, cave men armed with clubs dragging their women by the hair. Is that what is meant by a "traditional male"? Since we know virtually nothing about the sexual behavior of early man, I think it is not only an inappropriate coinage, but suggests a deep ignorance on the part of the coiner. SS

: Yes, it's unfortunate that this perception of Neanderthal man persists. Homo sapiens Neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens sapiens are subspecies of the same organism. Their brains were actually larger than those of modern man. The discovery of a ritual burial suggests they believed in an Afterlife and, therefore, must have had a language with which to communicate abstract concepts.

The man who coined "neandersexual" was talking more about grooming than sex. The reason I think that is that metrosexual is about grooming:

metrosexual -- (met.roh.SEK.shoo.ul) n. An urban male with a strong aesthetic sense who spends a great deal of time and money on his appearance and lifestyle. - metrosexuality n.

The neandersexual's wife posted this:
"Well, dh (dear husband) heard the name of the book and said, 'WHAT!?!? is a metrosexual???' So I explained it to him. He looked puzzled for a moment and said, 'I'm not one of those am I?' I said, " (snort) 'NO, far from it dear!' Then he said, 'Well, then I must be a neandersexual.'"

While is was looking for the metrosexual definition, I found:
meanderthal: Someone who has a difficult time getting to the point when telling a story or giving a presentation. Also: An early riser who wanders aimlessly through the house, unshaven and scratching where it itches.
Nominated by Andrew Kirkwood
Buzzwhacker