Fair/fairer s*x?

Question

what is the definition of the fair/fairer s*x? does it look negatively towards men or women? what is the origin? how is it used today?

Answer 1

Women are the fairer s*x, but I'm not sure what it's really supposed to mean to tell the truth.

Answer 2

I believe it is meant to be a reference towards women being considered to be more aesthetically pleasing then men.

Answer 3

At first glance, the phrase, "fairer s*x" appears to have originated to mean a beautiful "lady" with untanned skin, a woman who was spared the hardships of working outdoors like peasant women, a gentlewoman, refined and graceful and delicate in not only her appearances but manner as well.  But, it goes farther back than that.  It originally was a phrase used philosophically in reference to a male perception of "fair" or "just" or "unbiased" honest qualities about women.  The word "fair" originated in the Latin word for "peace" = pax / pacis which morphed into Gothic "fagrs", and it's opposite is "foul".  Fair and Foul can be found together in writings throughout the first thousand years A.D. meaning essentially just and unjust respectively.

Answer 4

The word "fair" has a variety of definitions. I believe that old phrase refers to these definitions taken from a dictionary.

10. free from blemish, imperfection, or anything that impairs the appearance, quality, or character: Her fair reputation was ruined by gossip.

13. pleasing in appearance; attractive: a fair young maiden.

Women are called the fairer s*x because of the beauty in the female form. It has nothing to do with fair judgement.

Answer 5

Women are, or were, sometimes described as the fairer s*x.  It means 'fair' in the old-fashioned term meaning beautiful.  Basically it means women are more beautiful than men.

Answer 6

I didn't think it meant necessarily more aesthetically pleasing, but women as more pure and innocent than men or the more pure gender and the grace and elegance and softness in woman's appearance adding to the meanining and origin of the fairer s*x.