What's the difference between misogynous and misogynistic? And when should you use one and when the other? Is it a bit like the difference between simple and simplistic?

Oh blimey!

I should imagine it's the same yes.

I would use it this way -

'you know Joe Bloggs, Well he's really misogynous'

'Joe, stop being so misogynistic.'

Don't know if it's correct, but I think that is how it should be used.

Katerina

OED (or at least www.askoxford.com) doesn't seem to recognise misogynous, only offering misogynistic. US dictionaries seem to offer both. Don't know if that helps ?

Thanks Katerina, I see your point. I think that's the way I'd use them too but it's hard to define the distinction.
Griff, the dictionary just gives them both as adjectives but doesn't distinguish between them. I wonder then is one of them more American and the other more British.
I'll check that out.

I'd say that misogynous is definately American - I've never heard that form before. Looking at an online dictionary though, it doesn't look like they mean anything different, so I'd just use whichever sounds better to your ear!

The Guardian seems to use the word 'misogynous' and for me it is a much more elegant word. Just seems neater, somehow!

To my ear, misogynous sounds more passive and misogynistic sounds more active (which is in line with what Katerina seemed to be saying too - not that I'm putting words in her mouth) I have no basis for that opinion, just a feeling.

I agree with caroline - I think 'mysognynous' is by far the better-sounding word.

I studied all this sort of stuff when I was learning to teach English to international students - some of the subtleties of language got me quite nerdily excited.

<Added>

'y' when I meant 'i'. Sorry.

some of the subtleties of language got me quite nerdily excited

Oh, me too! Not for nothing do I have a degree in Linguistics.

OK, here's my take on it.

'misogynous' is the adjective that comes from 'misogyny'
'misogynistic' is the adjective that comes from 'misogynist'

So it depends whether you are describing something (or someone) relating to the hatred of women, or something or someone relating to a person who demonstrates the hatred of women.

That was a terrible definition, but it's entirely off the top of my head. If I was writing a dictionary definition, I'd spend a lot longer on it, and I'd refer to a corpus, and to all previous definitions, and probably to several colleagues as well.

I could also be entirely and completely wrong. In fact, I probably am.

Language. I love it.

Luisa

Thanks Sarah and Luisa, It's good to have experts to call on for advice. So in this context which version would you prefer?

Knowing he had said it to calm any jealousy from the rest of the team rather than from any misogynistic impulse, Christina ignored the comment.

Knowing he had said it to calm any jealousy from the rest of the team rather than from any misogynous impulse, Christina ignored the comment.

Personally, I think the second one sounds (I mean, literally sounds) better. Try reading them aloud and see if you agree? Maybe it's because it has one less syllable? I'm sure it's a personal thing.

Gramatically speaking, this is how I see it. (Remember I'm no expert! I'm just a humble teen fiction writer with a background in dictionary work.)

from any misogynistic impulse

from the impulse of a misogynist - the emphasis is on the person, and the person is an imaginary, 'typical' misogynist. I'd define this roughly as 'reacting in a way that someone who hates women would react'.

from any misogynous impulse

from a woman-hating impulse - the emphasis is on the impulse and not on the person. I'd define this roughly as 'reacting in a way that demonstrates a hatred of women'.

I think you could decide which one suits your needs in the sentence, or which one you think 'sounds' better to you. Neither are 'wrong'. (Don't get me started on the concept of 'wrong' in language, though...!)

What do you think?

I'm dying to know what you decide now!

Yes, I'm definitely nerdily excited - Sarah, thanks for the phrase. It fits me perfectly!

Luisa

<Added>

Sorry, my definitions didn't match. Can't get the staff(!) The first one should say, 'from the impulse of a woman-hater' to match the second, 'from a woman-hating impulse'.

OK, here's my take on it. 'misogynous' is the adjective that comes from 'misogyny' 'misogynistic' is the adjective that comes from 'misogynist' So it depends whether you are describing something (or someone) relating to the hatred of women, or something or someone relating to a person who demonstrates the hatred of women.

That's brilliant, Luisa. Good stuff!

Yes!! I was mightily impressed when I read that,too, Luisa. I bow down to the goddess of grammar.

Or perhaps that should be the Goddess of Grammar.

It's all down to my Lancaster education, Sarah.

Luisa
(argh - I've gone all winky today! )

Luisa,

Thanks for thinking about this and expressing it so well. (I've just got back from Xmas shopping with a 2 year old. Enough said!)
I had a preference before for misogynistic because the extra syllable gave the sentence a rythm I liked but now you're making me think more about it. I'll do a lot to get the rhythm 'right' (add unnecessary words, repeat the same meaning etc) but I don't want to be grammatically incorrect.
As for being nerdy about it, I don't think it's nerdy at all (but then I might be a candidate myself for the English Language Nerds Club) What's great is that there are hundreds of 'right' ways of saying the same thing and it's the choices we make that give each writer their distinctive voice. I find that fascinating.

Thanks again

A.