Poll: the word "chick"?

[Labyrinth]

So, what pronoun would you like to be applied to you? I sense that "dude" probably wouldn't sit well with you. "Human female?" "Person?" You didn't offer any non-offensive suggestions, merely that "girl" and "chick" are unacceptable.
I agree with a lot of what you said about meaning and connotation, but allow me to direct that back at you: What if a term like "chick" is used in a completely affectionate way that in no way is meant to insult a woman's intelligence?
Hell, my fiancee calls me "wookiee." Now, this is referring to a fictional alien, known for being large, shaggy, savage, uncivilized, tree-dwelling, and communicating entirely through grunts and roars. Not exactly a noble list of traits. Under certain circumstances, it would be entirely reasonable to be offended by this. However, since she uses the term as an affectionate nickname, I take no issue with it.
Sometimes, words get divorced from their original meanings and take on new meanings over time. Hell, how many of us label ourselves as "geeks" these days?

"Woman" is fine. "Person" is good, and my preferred for anyone because it is non-gendered. I know a lot of people who aren't men or women, so neither applies.

As for as an affectionate term, I can't say I'm a fan either. The thing about terms of endearment that are actually endearing is that they're personal, they're something generally more unique than "chick". Then again, I'm one who loathes the use of "Babe" and "Baby" etc. as terms of endearment because I find them saccharin and condescending. Within relationships words like this work themselves out. If someone wishes to use it in a relationship, who am I to say they're wrong? People use "Pumpkin", "Snookims", "sunshine" and many others I find distasteful. In their relationship, it's up to them, because I imagine that it's a mutually acceptable term between the partners as in yours.

It's the general use in reference to females that I'm opposed to. Someone who doesn't know me calling me a chick is a short road to my disliking them for all the connotations I've said before. Habit is no excuse. "******" has been a habit in the past, "fag" and "gay" are used now. The passing of these terms into popular habitual slang is a microaggression, something small which none the less adds a subtle psychological sense of otherness, of isolation. Imagine if the derogatory term for hetrosexuals, "Breeders" became something popular used to a) put down things disliked and b) put down those who choose to have families. Of course this won't happen, heterosexuals are in the majority, but it would be a microaggression none the less.

I know well that words change their meanings. However, as we still use "chick" to refer to juvenile birds this does not apply.

 

[Wolf-AUS]

I use '****' as a replacement for 'person' is beyond me.

Doesn't everyone do that? *Sigh* Hate what the army has reduced my vocabulary to.

 

[McNinja]

The word "chick" has turned into an in-joke with me and my friends. It involves Walgreens.

 

[GotMalkAvian]

Snipped.

I can't say that you're wrong, since you do make a lot of good points. I guess I just can't see any word, regardless of connotations, in sheer black and white. Also, I'll always prefer less formal pronouns like "dude" or the dreaded "chick" to something as impersonal and bland as "person."
As for words like "******" or "fag," their use is quickly changing, as well. Instead of being a hateful term applied to isolate a group, we're seeing such terms used by those very groups to create a sort of internal exclusivity. On a much smaller note, we're seeing the same with terms like "geek."
I find it funny that you mentioned the term "breeder." I've never been slapped with the term personally, but it came up during a conversation with an author that I respect greatly. I confronted them about their use of the term to refer to all heterosexuals, since I'm heterosexual, but I have no intention of reproducing; therefore, I don't feel like the term "breeder" should apply to me. I got no response to this.
Sure, the term "breeder" is a bit distasteful to me, but most of the people I know who use it don't mean to be insulting. To me, and to them, "breeder" is just a slightly edgier, more colorful synonym for "straight." Truth be told, I find "straight" to be the more insulting of the two, since it implies that anyone else is "crooked."
I think I'm done trying to disagree, since we do seem to have at least some common ground. When meeting strangers, I'll always defer to more polite pronouns, saving the "dudes" and "chicks" for a later time when I understand the other person's preferences and they in turn understand the meaning behind the words I use. I agree that words can hurt, and can be used as weapons. However, on a final note, I firmly believe that we need to spend less time trying to convice the thickheaded to change their vocabularies and focus on simply not letting them get to us. If someone is looking to get a rise, the best offense is to not care.

 

[Chairman Miaow]

There was no option for "I don't use but I think it sounds ridiculous when people say it"
so I had to put "you're an arsehole."

 

[EeveeElectro]

It only bugs me when guys say, "Chicks dig my wheels" or something like that.
Other than that, I don't really notice.

 

[biGBum333]

i dont use the word chick but i dont see whats wrong with it.

infact one of my female friends last name is ''chick'' (i've made a few joking cracks at her last name and she didnt mind at all) and one of my male mates last name is ''guy'' (not that has anything to do with this...)