[Ads-l] Slight Further Antedating of "Sexism" (Prejudice or Discrimination Based on Sex)

[Shapiro, Fred]

sexism (OED 1968 [15 Nov.])

1968 Caroline Bird in The Living Church 13 Oct. 22/3 (Google Books)

"Sexism," she [Caroline Bird] explained, is "judging people by their sex where it doesn't matter."

NOTE:  In several respects, this is an antedating only technically, but it is worthy of notice because of the importance of the word and the fact that it is the earliest known appearance in print of "sexism" referring to prejudice or discrimination against women.  It has the same authorship and wording as the OED's first citation (contributed by me decades ago).  The OED's citation is from the 15 Nov. 1968 issue of the periodical Vital Speeches, presenting a speech Bird gave on 25 Sept. 1968.  I should also note that there was an eccentric, semi-humorous appearance of the word "sexism" meaning belief in the superiority of women over men, in the Chippewa Herald-Telegram, 30 Mar. 1964.

Fred Shapiro

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