Girlboss
what it means
Sincere from around 2014, satirical from around 2020. The term collapsed as several prominent figures associated with it faced workplace criticism.
A woman succeeding in business through ambition and self-branding — now used almost entirely ironically.
the origin story
From Sophia Amoruso's 2014 book #GIRLBOSS, which became a shorthand for a whole strand of corporate feminism.
The reversal was rapid and well documented. Several high-profile founders associated with the aesthetic faced allegations about workplace culture, and "girlboss" became shorthand for a feminism that measured liberation in job titles. "Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss" was the punchline that finished it.
in the wild
She restructured the whole team in a week.
Girlboss.
That's not a compliment, is it?
No.
This was aspirational in 2016.
A lot has happened since 2016.
how to use it
- Discussing 2010s corporate feminism
- Ironic commentary
- Internet culture conversations
- Sincerely as a compliment
- About women in leadership generally
- Professionally
related terms
receipts
Community feedback
keep scrolling
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