Karen (slang)

Karen is a term used as slang typically for a middle-class white American woman who is perceived as entitled or excessively demanding. The term is often portrayed in memes depicting middle-class white women who “use their white and class privilege to demand their own way”. Depictions include demanding to “speak to the manager”, being racist, or wearing a particular bob cut hairstyle. It was popularized in the aftermath of the Central Park birdwatching incident in 2020.
The term has been considered pejorative by those who believe it is racist, sexist, ageist, classist, and controlling women’s behavior. The term has occasionally been applied to male behavior.
During 2020, the term increasingly appeared in media and social media, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests. The Guardian called 2020 “the year of Karen”.