(Inspired by three days of debate on the Iomega board regarding gender references for the female population---girl, honey, chick, doll, broad, etc.)

As one such gender member, I can assert that we are, at times, and to certain people, all of the above. For instance:

My father calls me "honey" and it can still make me feel safe.

My mother calls me a "lady" (and, amazingly, it works when I'm around her!)

My husband calls me "broad"---but only imbedded in complimentary observations, such as, "you are one smart broad for buying Iomega."

My son calls me "ma" when he's criticizing a bonehead move of mine (usually something mechanical) and "doll" when I do something like make him waffles or co-sign for his car.

A former boss referred to me as "directoress" at a time when my title was Director of Marketing. (He honestly believed calling a female a directOR was insulting---go figure!)

Store clerks call me "ma'am," which makes me feel old, but I know they're trying to be polite.

My husband's old army buddies call me "the missus," which makes me feel like a prison warden, but I know it's their form of respect.

Old men call me "miss," which makes me feel coy.

My best friends refer to me as "one of the girls," which makes me feel friendship.

And no one's called me "a chick" in about 10 years, which makes me feel wistful.

My point? These forms of address aren't usually meant to be insulting. To receive them with a lack of grace is the insult.

Just my opinion. (A feminist, sure. But a humanist more.)

Now, YOU can call me Fool.