Battle-axe (woman)

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A battle-axe (or battle-ax) is a derogatory traditional stereotype describing a woman characterized as aggressive, overbearing, and forceful. The term originated as a gender-independent descriptor in the early 20th century, but became primarily applied to women around the middle of the century. The first attested source in the Oxford English Dictionary is from the book Artie by George Ade Say, there was a battle-ax if ever you see one. She had a face on her that'd fade flowers.

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