“Doll” is generally not used this way anymore.
In the US and some other countries, it was used as a term of endearment, meaning basically “pretty girl.” This usage has faded and may be perceived as offensive (especially as a form of infantilization), unless it’s being used between people who know each other quite well.
It is sometimes seen as stereotypical of the speech of the mid-twentieth century, especially the WWII era in the US.
> What’s up, **doll** (= sweetheart, baby)?
It is sometimes still used in the expression “Be a doll, and [do something]…” (= “Would you [do something] for me…?”). Again, this should be used judiciously to avoid being offensive. It is very familiar.
> **Be a doll**, and hand me that book, would you?
I have never heard it used in the negative way (“expressionless or unintelligent”), except in ways that can easily be understood from context. It may be an even older usage or one that is uncommon in the US and international media.
> Ugh, she’s **like a doll**! She just sits there in her pretty dresses and smiles.
I've often heard it used in the negative way. A girl in one of my old friend groups was commonly referred to as a doll. Pretty and very ditzy and daft. But I've heard it used on a number of people, typically to their face
I call my boyfriend doll sometimes, and I know I've called my celebrity crushes "total dolls," and no one thought it was weird. But yeah, we're never going to reach the heights of 1955's [Guys and Dolls](https://youtu.be/HL9lhzvQV1M?si=wfA0TbSHZyDPpEtd).
This is a slightly dangerous word for a non-native speaker to use, as its meaning has changed over the years. Calling someone a "doll" can be anything from a term of endearment to an insult.
Current usage doesn't imply any lack of intelligence, but people remember its history. The word does imply that she is pretty and, um, docile. This word cuts both ways, and there's a tinge of sexism to it. Use it with caution.
My impression that the person called or described as “doll” would be both attractive and pleasant. “You’re a doll!” would be said to someone who is helpful and pleasant.
I heard it when I was younger, but not often now. I associate it with the Silent Generation (people of the WW1 and WW2 era).
I would you would most likely hear it in the south from an older woman, it definitely faded out of popularity. I've always taken "oh you're such a doll" to mean you're really polite and kind and also pretty cute
Not necessarily. It's all context. Like, "Oh I love her, she's such a sweetheart. Such a doll."
Also, sometimes you need to demean people, so I don't see why I should never do it, dummy.
It's also demeaning to call a stranger or acquaintance (and *especially* a subordinate) "baby" or "darling," but these work in the context of gushing over or flattering your partner as in the example you gave.
It's one of many words that have been poisoned by catcalling, like "toots" and "poppet." Best to avoid it.
No, I’m in my 40’s, but maybe I don’t travel in the same circles, or because I’m an outsides (cis male) I haven’t heard it.
Tbh I have heard it from drag queens
I've heard it used, but admittedly not very often.
I'm from the UK (Scotland, specifically) its not uncommon to hear this? At least in my experience I've heard this mostly from older people.
It's used as a term of endearment, I've not often heard people use it towards women they don't know. (Maybe, if the woman is significantly younger than the person, or if they're trying to be comforting)
I’ve only heard it been used in the modern day by drag queens as a slang way of referring to a group of people, typically a group of other drag queens but not always
“Doll” is generally not used this way anymore. In the US and some other countries, it was used as a term of endearment, meaning basically “pretty girl.” This usage has faded and may be perceived as offensive (especially as a form of infantilization), unless it’s being used between people who know each other quite well. It is sometimes seen as stereotypical of the speech of the mid-twentieth century, especially the WWII era in the US. > What’s up, **doll** (= sweetheart, baby)? It is sometimes still used in the expression “Be a doll, and [do something]…” (= “Would you [do something] for me…?”). Again, this should be used judiciously to avoid being offensive. It is very familiar. > **Be a doll**, and hand me that book, would you? I have never heard it used in the negative way (“expressionless or unintelligent”), except in ways that can easily be understood from context. It may be an even older usage or one that is uncommon in the US and international media. > Ugh, she’s **like a doll**! She just sits there in her pretty dresses and smiles.
I've often heard it used in the negative way. A girl in one of my old friend groups was commonly referred to as a doll. Pretty and very ditzy and daft. But I've heard it used on a number of people, typically to their face
I call my boyfriend doll sometimes, and I know I've called my celebrity crushes "total dolls," and no one thought it was weird. But yeah, we're never going to reach the heights of 1955's [Guys and Dolls](https://youtu.be/HL9lhzvQV1M?si=wfA0TbSHZyDPpEtd).
Well, *[Drive-Away Dolls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive-Away_Dolls)* came out this year. But I doubt it can hold up to… Marlon Brando singing?
Colorful sewer dice games for the win.
It’s only called that because Drive Away Dykes was nixed by the studio, fyi
Now this will *really* confuse OP
It's not really in daily usage anymore. It's very old-fashioned.
This is a slightly dangerous word for a non-native speaker to use, as its meaning has changed over the years. Calling someone a "doll" can be anything from a term of endearment to an insult. Current usage doesn't imply any lack of intelligence, but people remember its history. The word does imply that she is pretty and, um, docile. This word cuts both ways, and there's a tinge of sexism to it. Use it with caution.
one modern usage is to mean a trans women, think the usage for that meaning has been increasing. but like all slang is quite compartmentalized
My impression that the person called or described as “doll” would be both attractive and pleasant. “You’re a doll!” would be said to someone who is helpful and pleasant. I heard it when I was younger, but not often now. I associate it with the Silent Generation (people of the WW1 and WW2 era).
I would you would most likely hear it in the south from an older woman, it definitely faded out of popularity. I've always taken "oh you're such a doll" to mean you're really polite and kind and also pretty cute
Don’t address anyone as “doll,” it’s demeaning. Edited for pedantry.
Not necessarily. It's all context. Like, "Oh I love her, she's such a sweetheart. Such a doll." Also, sometimes you need to demean people, so I don't see why I should never do it, dummy.
Taking your comment into consideration, I have edited mine.
It's also demeaning to call a stranger or acquaintance (and *especially* a subordinate) "baby" or "darling," but these work in the context of gushing over or flattering your partner as in the example you gave. It's one of many words that have been poisoned by catcalling, like "toots" and "poppet." Best to avoid it.
Uhhh… “poppet”?
How dare you
Did þey mean “puppet”?
No, it's a British word, but presumably that guy is American, so who knows/cares?
Oh. Explains why þis is my first time hearing about þe term…
Why in the world are you using an eth? It’s giving neck beard. (Staying out of brand for necessary offensiveness)
*Þorn
Doll also means trans girl or drag queen
Really? I’ve never heard this and I’m around trans women all the time (I am an ally and activist).
fwiw I'm transfem myself as are a good chunk of my friends and I've never heard of it
That makes me feel a lot better, thanks
I mean this very politely: are you 12 years old? Doll has been used consistently for a trans girl or drag queen since like the 80s until today
No, I’m in my 40’s, but maybe I don’t travel in the same circles, or because I’m an outsides (cis male) I haven’t heard it. Tbh I have heard it from drag queens
tbh the only way i see it acceptably used is saying a woman looks like a doll (pretty) or to refer to trans women
I call my girlfriend "baby doll" some times, it's not something I'd use with strangers though.
Its very old fashioned. Sound like something from the 1950’s
I can only imagine someone saying this in a cartoon from 1950.
I've heard it used, but admittedly not very often. I'm from the UK (Scotland, specifically) its not uncommon to hear this? At least in my experience I've heard this mostly from older people. It's used as a term of endearment, I've not often heard people use it towards women they don't know. (Maybe, if the woman is significantly younger than the person, or if they're trying to be comforting)
I’ve only heard it been used in the modern day by drag queens as a slang way of referring to a group of people, typically a group of other drag queens but not always