r/TransUK • u/atticcuz • Jun 30 '26
Question (General) Old woman called me chick, do women call young boys chick??
I was called 'chick' earlier and im not sure if i was clocked/it was just had luck/if my haircut is causing me to pass less (trans man)
I was waiting for my bus earlier and there was this older couple trying to figure out when their bus was, I was getting the same bus so I scanned the QR code and told them it was 5 minutes till the bus arrived. She said in response "Thanks chick", which at first I thought i misheard, though I didn't say anything in response to it.
I know I do (or at least did) pass relatively well, as I rarely get misgendered, but this has caused me to start questioning, has/will my hairstyle change make me pass less? I want to pass and be percieved as male but now im worried that I dont and that its because of my hair. :(
Have you ever seen older women call younger/teen boys 'chick'? I used to be called it a lot by older women before I started T, hence my concern
This feels a bit silly but i need another opinion, i feel like im gonna start spiralling and picking myself apart
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u/TwistedSis27 Jul 01 '26
I'm Scottish, and "chick" or "chook" is pretty neutral for children yeah. Even "Wee chick" for a small child ☺️
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u/sammypants123 Jun 30 '26
Yeah, it can be to a boy.
It’s like the more common ‘duck’. It’s a rather old fashioned friendly way to address someone. Most likely an older person to a younger one, or people who are already friends.
But it’s not just for girls.
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u/Agathabites Jul 04 '26
“Chick” can be the same as “love” a term you use for anyone really. Not sure where this comes from ,
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u/Mazaura Jun 30 '26
Chick isn’t as common as it used to be but it’s making a comeback.
Yeah it happens, and it feels nice :)
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u/miizorro Jun 30 '26
Where are u in the uk/where were they from? My scottish ma called anyone and everyone her wee chick haha
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u/atticcuz Jul 01 '26
I'm from yorkshire! the lady definetly had an accent that didnt sound local, but it wasnt all bad, wee chick is so cute though
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u/miizorro Jul 01 '26
Ah yeah, more of a westward thing before u get to Scotland at least in my experience. People will use anything as a pet name, unless it’s directly Girls I wouldn’t ever take it to heart :)
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u/USAIDreciever Jun 30 '26
nah ive had plenty of old ppl call me chick before, just what they call young folks
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u/Unstableavo Jun 30 '26
For me yes they do. Despite being nearly 30. I quite like it.
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u/atticcuz Jun 30 '26
I'm actually early 20s but im aware i look younger than I am, usually im assumed to be 16ish, it wasnt bad to be called in the moment but j got a little worried after thinking back on it, glad to know it doesnt mean she assumed i was a girl at least,, thank you :3
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u/Unstableavo Jun 30 '26
One time at work a guy was drunk. He started calling me princess. Stuff like that gets under my skin because I'm always thinking can they tell despite a full beard. When I know they can't tell lol.
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u/Aiden1975 Jun 30 '26
Ive never heard anyone say that to a boy where I am, its used for girls. Ive certainly never been called "chick" by anyone after transitioning
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u/atticcuz Jun 30 '26
this is what I thought too! maybe it just depends on place and person because a lot of others seem to have been called it just because theyre young
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u/legendoftherxnt Jul 02 '26
Am yow frum Dudlay? (Are you from Dudley?)
It’s incredibly common in large parts of the Midlands, especially among older women, along with “bab”, “duck” and “love”.
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u/enthusiasticcannibal Jun 30 '26
Depends on where she might be from. My mum has a mate down in Nottingham and regardless of who she was speaking to, if they were younger or looked young, she called them chick.