[just another ref]

Hard to believe, but I just read this thread for the first time. Sometimes it helps to state the obvious. Men, for the most part, take pride in trying to be as "manly" as possible. Men, also for the most part, spend a lot of time insulting other men. It is fair to say that most men are very interested in women. Therefore, most men have their own image of the ideal woman. This ideal woman would most often tend to be quite feminine, or, the opposite of a man, if you will. Therefore, what better way to insult another man than by calling him a woman. (the opposite of a man) These same men might see a woman that they perceive, rightfully or otherwise, to be not so feminine. One of the adjectives used to describe this woman is often manly. Is this intended to be derogatory to the woman? Probably so. Is this intended to be derogatory to men? I would say definitely not.

Try this one. One of the characteristics looked upon favorably by most men is to be tall. When one who is not so tall is referred to as "a little shrimp," is this offensive to shrimp?