@MissReverie's post on Artfol
| Digital Artist| OCs & Fan Art| SketchesIs it offensive to describe the physical appearance of an OC as "fat"? Or is it better to use another word that is similar to "fat" like "chubby" or "pudgy"?
The reason I ask this is because I have a leprechaun OC, Finnian, who is short and rotund in appearance. He's cute too
I worry that someone might get offended by the word "fat" since the word has had stigma on such people to imply that they are unattractive and ugly especially during a time when being thin= beautiful. I've also had a negative experience back in my youth when a classmate wanted to get me in trouble by asking me if I thought said student was fat.
Anyways, in the context of my OC I am not using the term to fat-shame nor mock anyone, but just to describe his physical appearance. By having my OC look like this I want to embrace the beauty of different body types.
Now in days people get offended for almost anything regardless of context
.Apr 2, 2024
The reason I ask this is because I have a leprechaun OC, Finnian, who is short and rotund in appearance. He's cute too
I worry that someone might get offended by the word "fat" since the word has had stigma on such people to imply that they are unattractive and ugly especially during a time when being thin= beautiful. I've also had a negative experience back in my youth when a classmate wanted to get me in trouble by asking me if I thought said student was fat.
Anyways, in the context of my OC I am not using the term to fat-shame nor mock anyone, but just to describe his physical appearance. By having my OC look like this I want to embrace the beauty of different body types.
Now in days people get offended for almost anything regardless of context
.Apr 2, 2024#question
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Comments
Its just a descriptor! Its not bad or good on its own so don’t feel scared of it imo.
I would say in fact those three terms (fat, chubby, pudgy) have different visual meanings when you read them (they signify different levels of weight in my imagination). They could still all be used on the same character in different context (i.e. describing a body part as pudgy on a person who is fat makes sense to the minds eye.)
So I’d use the best and most accurate descriptor for the job and give it the most appropriate context and feeling based on what picture you’re trying to portray with it in the text.
So if its a cute context use the surrounding text to build that mental image that its meant in a cute/positive way. Maybe using rosy, light, bubbly feeling terms.
I would say in fact those three terms (fat, chubby, pudgy) have different visual meanings when you read them (they signify different levels of weight in my imagination). They could still all be used on the same character in different context (i.e. describing a body part as pudgy on a person who is fat makes sense to the minds eye.)
So I’d use the best and most accurate descriptor for the job and give it the most appropriate context and feeling based on what picture you’re trying to portray with it in the text.
So if its a cute context use the surrounding text to build that mental image that its meant in a cute/positive way. Maybe using rosy, light, bubbly feeling terms.
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It's all on how you use it, I suppose. People say it everyday. Don't forget people still ask the question, "Do you think I look fat?" "Do you think I'm getting fat?" Sometimes we say it, even in our own spectrum. Lord knows I have some fat I need to get rid of myself lol.
It's all on how you use it. And there are other words you can use, even if you don't feel comfortable saying it.... Roton, Robust, a little jolly.
But in the end, fat doesn't have to be offensive unless you make it.
Also, you may have a character that views things differently. It's always good to stay true to their character to get the point out of your storytelling, whatever it maybe. So maybe he or she is the type to say fat, and not chubby.
It's all on how you use it. And there are other words you can use, even if you don't feel comfortable saying it.... Roton, Robust, a little jolly
. But in the end, fat doesn't have to be offensive unless you make it.
Also, you may have a character that views things differently. It's always good to stay true to their character to get the point out of your storytelling, whatever it maybe. So maybe he or she is the type to say fat, and not chubby.
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Weight is usually a sensitive topic. Since this is all hypothetical it’s no problem calling them fat, but it’s usually embarrassing to be called fat irl. It’s all a matter of context.
A good way to sidestep questions like your classmate’s is to pull up a Body Mass Index (BMI chart
) on your phone and see if they are really overweight. At that point it won’t be, “do you think I’m fat?” The answer is, “the chart shows you have a high BMI for your height range. This is completely healthy as long as you don’t have any weight related comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)”.
I’m all about staying away from drama so I’ll sidestep that kinda question all day.
A good way to sidestep questions like your classmate’s is to pull up a Body Mass Index (BMI chart
) on your phone and see if they are really overweight. At that point it won’t be, “do you think I’m fat?” The answer is, “the chart shows you have a high BMI for your height range. This is completely healthy as long as you don’t have any weight related comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.)”. I’m all about staying away from drama so I’ll sidestep that kinda question all day.
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Fat is just an adjective, it's not negative in itself. Only when it's used that way (e.g. in order to insult someone). If we dance around the word because we think fat = ugly, we will never get rid of that association
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I don’t think anyone will have a problem with it!
I mean I have an Oc that’s literally just called „fat bird“ because it is a cute round birb and I’ve never had anyone be offended by it + I’ve had it in my username for quite some time now as well
I think using it in a way that isn’t disrespectful is completely fine
I mean I have an Oc that’s literally just called „fat bird“ because it is a cute round birb and I’ve never had anyone be offended by it + I’ve had it in my username for quite some time now as well
I think using it in a way that isn’t disrespectful is completely fine
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I think it should be fine if you're really just describing him in a way that's not supposed to be offensive. Like you just say "He was fat.", I don't see any problem.
I myself also have a character who's fat. Though I mainly refer to him as "chubby" because I just like the sound of it. It gives a cute vibe feeling which fits him well. Also, he's a husband. So that makes him...
A Chubby-Hubby :3
That sounds even more adorable!
I myself also have a character who's fat. Though I mainly refer to him as "chubby" because I just like the sound of it. It gives a cute vibe feeling which fits him well. Also, he's a husband. So that makes him...
A Chubby-Hubby :3
That sounds even more adorable!
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