Curvy besties, can โbig backโ come to the front?! No, I am not talking about a person, but the term. Today, we ask, โIs the slang big back fatphobic?โ It has made its rounds on social media and in everyday conversations. But what exactly does it mean?
โBig backโ is often used to describe someone consuming large quantities of food and is commonly used as a fat joke regardless of the personโs size.
While itโs unclear who coined the term, it has gained traction in online communities and memes. Whenever the term is used in a meme or social media clip, itโs of someone being greedy or pretending to be โfatโ while also being greedy. But is the slang โbig backโ fatphobic?
Content Creators Speak Out About The Term โBig Backโ
Many plus size individuals and content creators have started speaking out against the term, labeling it as fatphobic and offensive. They argue that โbig backโ is another way society tries to shame plus size bodies, reinforcing negative stereotypes and perpetuating body shaming. They also emphasize that phrases like โbig backโ perpetuate a culture where plus size individuals are constantly ridiculed and marginalized.
For instance, lifestyle content creator Alice (@alicennn) explains her reasons for how counter-progressive โbig backโ is.
โWhen people are told that their big back jokes are offensive, itโs just to say, โOh, itโs not about being fat, itโs about being big and greedy,โ Alice explained. โSo, you see how we are back to fat people are big and greedy. The personification of being big and greedy is to literally be large.โ
Dylan Davis (@dylan.davii) discussed how the term allows people to call others fat but โjokingly.โ Furthermore, it doesnโt consider plus size individualsโ feelings.
These creators are using their platforms to highlight how harmful language can affect mental health and self-esteem. They stress the importance of respecting everyoneโs body, regardless of size, and call for an end to using terms like โbig backโ that can cause harm. They encourage a more inclusive and respectful dialogue around body image by calling out these issues. It is not just about condemning a single term but about challenging the broader culture of fatphobia and promoting body positivity.
Is the Slang โBig Backโ Fatphobic to Me?
Honestly, as a plus size girlie, the term โbig backโ doesnโt offend me. Jokes or terms rooted in my size are nothing new, innovative, or creative. Iโve heard it all; quite frankly, โbig backโ is just another word. To me, โbig backโ is used interchangeably with greedy. And if youโre being greedy, youโre being greedy; size doesnโt matter. Honestly, the only word that truly offends me is the โn-word,โ for obvious reasons.
However, just because โbig backโ doesnโt offend me doesnโt mean it doesnโt hurt others, and I am aware of that. I do not condone bullying. Everyoneโs experiences and feelings are valid, and if a term makes you feel less about yourself, youโre allowed to call it out. Itโs important to recognize what might be a harmless joke to one person can be deeply hurtful to another. This distinction is crucial in understanding the broader conversation around body shaming and fatphobia.
So, I ask again, โIs the slang โbig backโ fatphobic?โ
It depends on who you ask.
For some, itโs a harmless joke; for others, itโs a painful reminder of societal judgments. The important takeaway is to be mindful of how our words affect those around us. Empathy and respect go a long way in making everyone feel seen and valued.
Whether โbig backโ hits a nerve or rolls off your back, the ongoing dialogue about fatphobia and body positivity is a step towards a more inclusive and understanding world.
