What is a non-sexist alternative to the term "prima donna"?
May 28, 2017 9:22 AM Subscribe
I try to avoid using sexist language, but I am finding it difficult to replace the term "prima donna" to refer to "a very temperamental person with an inflated view of their own talent or importance" (per Google). Unfortunately, the synonyms I find are either equally sexist or somewhat esoteric. Any suggestions for an alternative?
Narcissistic grandiosity. Is that better?
posted by SemiSalt at 9:33 AM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by SemiSalt at 9:33 AM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
"A real Trump type"
posted by ejs at 9:46 AM on May 28, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by ejs at 9:46 AM on May 28, 2017 [18 favorites]
"temperamental and arrogant"
posted by aniola at 10:04 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by aniola at 10:04 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
For what it's worth, I don't think this appellation has to be viewed as sexist. The stereotypical characterization of prime donne arose as a result of an operatic world that catered to their whims and encouraged larger-than-life personality characteristics because they were the most important performers and had all the power.
In any event, I'm not sure you will find a single word that embodies the "prima donna" characteristics of being volatile, solipsistic and not a team player.
posted by slkinsey at 10:11 AM on May 28, 2017 [12 favorites]
In any event, I'm not sure you will find a single word that embodies the "prima donna" characteristics of being volatile, solipsistic and not a team player.
posted by slkinsey at 10:11 AM on May 28, 2017 [12 favorites]
Diva, divo.
posted by glasseyes at 10:22 AM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by glasseyes at 10:22 AM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Drama llama?
posted by bighappyhairydog at 10:27 AM on May 28, 2017 [25 favorites]
posted by bighappyhairydog at 10:27 AM on May 28, 2017 [25 favorites]
Churlish fop?
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 11:11 AM on May 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 11:11 AM on May 28, 2017 [4 favorites]
All Italian nouns and adjectives are gendered. If you feel you must avoid every one of them, this will sadly curtail la bella vita.
The phrase 'prima donna' as used in English is not gendered. It can be applied to anyone of any sexual identity.
posted by MinPin at 11:27 AM on May 28, 2017 [21 favorites]
The phrase 'prima donna' as used in English is not gendered. It can be applied to anyone of any sexual identity.
posted by MinPin at 11:27 AM on May 28, 2017 [21 favorites]
There is a great German expression... 'extra Wurst' or extra sausage in English.
posted by jazh at 11:33 AM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by jazh at 11:33 AM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Capricious snowflake.
posted by waving at 11:49 AM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by waving at 11:49 AM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Two scoops of ice cream.
posted by Too-Ticky at 11:51 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Too-Ticky at 11:51 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
Mercurial. Capricious. Although for me personally capricious has a connotation of gender (female) because of the way it was used by the person I learned it from.
posted by vignettist at 12:03 PM on May 28, 2017
posted by vignettist at 12:03 PM on May 28, 2017
"The world orbits around them" aka "inverse astronaut".
posted by gregoreo at 12:07 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by gregoreo at 12:07 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
"Living example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect"
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:28 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:28 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Overbaked ham!
posted by daisystomper at 12:34 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by daisystomper at 12:34 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Most people I know IRL use the word "diva" gender-neutrally. Then again, I live in a granola, artsy-fartsy sort of town, so adjust your grain of salt accordingly.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:37 PM on May 28, 2017
posted by The Underpants Monster at 12:37 PM on May 28, 2017
Spotlight hog.
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:40 PM on May 28, 2017
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:40 PM on May 28, 2017
Fancy pants.
posted by VioletU at 12:58 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by VioletU at 12:58 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Narcissist.
posted by Coaticass at 1:25 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Coaticass at 1:25 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I came in to say "Presidential," and ejs pretty much beat me to it.
posted by quixotictic at 1:34 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by quixotictic at 1:34 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
"special snowflake" seems to have taken on for this
posted by Mchelly at 1:48 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 1:48 PM on May 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
The insult is really that someone is acting like a prima donna without being one so I don't think it's a gendered insult as stated above.
posted by fshgrl at 3:37 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by fshgrl at 3:37 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Brat.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 3:46 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 3:46 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
If the person is in a position of authority, "tin god" or "little tin god".
posted by Vigilant at 4:12 PM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by Vigilant at 4:12 PM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]
A hothouse flower.
posted by phil at 6:07 PM on May 28, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by phil at 6:07 PM on May 28, 2017 [7 favorites]
What about "show pony"? It makes a nice contrast with "workhorse," for serious, levelheaded, humble people who deliver real results.
(And like… in reality, men get called "bitchy" too, and yet we recognize that "bitchy" is a sexist term because of its connection to a gendered stereotype. I feel like "prima donna" is similar, and it's reasonable to want a substitute?)
posted by nebulawindphone at 6:54 PM on May 28, 2017 [12 favorites]
(And like… in reality, men get called "bitchy" too, and yet we recognize that "bitchy" is a sexist term because of its connection to a gendered stereotype. I feel like "prima donna" is similar, and it's reasonable to want a substitute?)
posted by nebulawindphone at 6:54 PM on May 28, 2017 [12 favorites]
Steve Jobs
posted by medusa at 7:49 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by medusa at 7:49 PM on May 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
"Living example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect"
How about we call these people DKs for short? EG, "Our president is a total DK."
posted by yankeefog at 1:56 AM on May 29, 2017
How about we call these people DKs for short? EG, "Our president is a total DK."
posted by yankeefog at 1:56 AM on May 29, 2017
"Fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head" is somewhat like this, but I dislike the idea of someone's head being worth an amount of money; it seems like a really shitty thing to say.
posted by BibiRose at 5:01 AM on May 29, 2017
posted by BibiRose at 5:01 AM on May 29, 2017
I grew up with the expression "prince of poops" (and as far as I remember it referred to both boys and girls, though mostly kids). Googling suggests this mostly refers to cats these days.
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 7:01 AM on May 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 7:01 AM on May 29, 2017 [2 favorites]
I heavily disagree that "prima donna" is not gendered. It is far more routinely used against women and gay men than other people. And when it is used against straight men, the intention is often to insult them by feminizing them (just like with "bitch" or "princess").
I can't think of an exact replacement, in part because I think the connotation of "prima donna" themselves are gendered...but what about extra?
Real term, commonly used, though more with the youths(TM).
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:17 AM on May 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
I can't think of an exact replacement, in part because I think the connotation of "prima donna" themselves are gendered...but what about extra?
Real term, commonly used, though more with the youths(TM).
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:17 AM on May 30, 2017 [4 favorites]
Some teenagers I know say "extra." This can be used either as a description of a person or more commonly a behavior. "John is so extra. I just can't with him." Or "You're being so extra right now. Chill out."
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 5:59 AM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 5:59 AM on May 30, 2017 [1 favorite]
Delusions of grandeur
posted by Polychrome at 8:25 AM on May 30, 2017
posted by Polychrome at 8:25 AM on May 30, 2017
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posted by Etrigan at 9:25 AM on May 28, 2017 [3 favorites]