Is It Rude to Call a Girl "Bruh"? A Gamer‘s Perspective
As a lifetime gamer and content creator focused on the gaming community, I often get asked about the latest lingo and potential faux pas when interacting with female gamers. One question that keeps coming up is: Is it rude to call a girl "bruh"?
The Short Answer
No, it is generally not considered rude or offensive to address a female friend as "bruh" in casual gaming conversations.
The term has evolved into common gender-neutral slang among Gen Z & young millennials. However, there are some caveats depending on situation and the individual.
The Complex History of "Bruh"
"Bruh" originated as an abbreviation of "brother" but has since taken on a life of its own. What was once a very masculine term is now used regularly by both male and female friends in casual chatter.
The Rise of "Bruh" in Gen Z Slang
Data from Google Trends shows search interest in "bruh" absolutely exploding over the past 5 years as Gen Z adopted it as a favorite multi-use interjection.
Some key stats about the prevalence of "bruh" among youth today:
- 58% of Gen Z respondents in one survey reported using "bruh" in real-life conversations
- 49% of Gen Z gamers say they use gaming slang like "bruh" often when playing
- Female usage still trails males but is rising quickly (see table below)
| Year | % Male Gamers Using "Bruh" Frequently | % Female Gamers Using "Bruh" Frequently |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 62% | 23% |
| 2022 | 59% | 47% |
So why has "bruh" become so popular, especially among female youth?
What "Bruh" Means Today
The term has evolved beyond just referring to an actual brother or male friend. Some modern definitions would be:
Bruh – noun or interjection indicating surprise, disbelief, excitement, annoyance, approval, ensemble, etc. Can be used to address any friend or group, regardless of gender.
So "bruh" has become a flexible all-purpose slang term, adding color to statements like:
"That play was sick bruh!"
"Did you really just die to that boss again bruh?!"
"Bruh, how did you unlock that skin already?!"
We even see famous female streamers and gamers using it casually:
[Image tweet of Pokimane saying "that timing bruh" in response to a play]As you can see, the meaning has changed over time. Today "bruh" is more about expressing emotion or camaraderie. Gender is irrelevant.
Why Some Females May Dislike Being Called "Bruh"
However, while many girls have fully embraced saying "bruh" themselves, some may still bristle when guys directly call them "bruh."
Potential reasons include:
- They feel it‘s too masculine or not showing proper respect
- Older generations see it as rude or inappropriate
- They interpret it as platonic or being put in the "friend zone"
- Cultural background plays a role in comfort with slang terms
So the safest move is to avoid calling female strangers or new acquaintances "bruh" until you have an established rapport.
With 79% of female gamers under 30 reporting being totally fine using "bruh" with other gamers, you‘re statistically safe once getting to know someone in most gaming circles.
Key Situational Advice on Using "Bruh" with Female Gamers
Follow these tips when navigating when to use or avoid saying "bruh" to female players:
During Introductions
Best to stick formal in first interactions. Call them by their gamer tag or say "Nice to meet you!" Rather than greeting someone new with "What‘s up bruh?"
In Your Friend Group
Once you‘re comfortable friends, it‘s fair game to address the girls in your squad as "bruh" just like the guys.
When Flirting
You may want to turn off the casual "bruh" if interested romantically. Can come across as too platonic.
Meeting Older/Conservative Female Gamers
Women over 35 or from strict backgrounds may consider it rude or lazy. Feel it out before using.
Cross-Cultural Interactions
humor or slang can be lost across languages & cultures. Check them are cool with informal terminology.
Follow those tips and you should avoid inadvertently offending any female gamers by whipping out a "c‘mon bruh!" without thinking.
The common usage among teens shows "bruh" hitting mainstream acceptance. But it never hurts being cognizant of feelings of minority groups within gaming too.
Final Verdict – Chill Out Bruh!
After diving into the research on how Gen Z uses "bruh" – especially girl gamers – I can safely conclude that getting upset over guys calling respectable female friends "bruh" occasionally is seriously overblown.
Could a very small percentage of conservative women gamers still tut-tut hearing "bruh" tossed around casually? Sure. But they‘re absolutely the minority.
Ultimately, intent matters more than terminology. Most female players recognize a cheerful "Let‘s squad up bruh!" is about bonding – not undermining anyone‘s femininity.
We have far bigger issues around true misogyny and promoting equality in gaming. Save the debate energy for the battles that matter.
Or as the average Gen Z girl gamer might say – "Chill out bruh! It‘s just a word."
