I'm not looking for any derogatory term, but for something that the woman herself would say
Example:
He was a good guy. Not sure why I was so sure of that. Maybe it was a skill that I developed when I was a [...].
I'm not looking for any derogatory term, but for something that the woman herself would say
Example:
He was a good guy. Not sure why I was so sure of that. Maybe it was a skill that I developed when I was a [...].
"Flirt" comes to mind. Actually, a whole bunch of phrases/terms come to mind but they would descend in to the "derogatory" category and, as such, wouldn't apply.
Temptress
temptress ˈtɛm(p)trɪs/ noun a woman who tempts someone to do something, typically a sexually attractive woman who sets out to allure or seduce someone.(Source:Google.com)
Many of the words for sexual behavior have cultural prejudices built in, so I think many nouns and adjectives are already going to stack the cards against you. "Flirty," "Promiscuous," and "Temptress," read like euphemisms for loose behavior. I'd look for phrases. If you're looking for a word for a woman who actively dates around, enjoys the company of men, but isn't a tease, consider,
dating around:
He was a good guy. Not sure why I was so sure of that. Maybe it was a skill that I developed when I was dating around.
man-chaser, used wryly:
He was a good guy. Not sure why I was so sure of that. Maybe it was a skill that I developed when I was chasing men.
these seem like a better fit, especially since the woman in question has dated "good" men and good men don't usually go for flirty, flighty, teasing, temptresses.
sources: dictionary.com, myself.
IMHO, most of these answers are pretty judgmental. Simply referring to the lady in question as a "single-girl/gal" would imply that she "chased" men, without casting aspersions at her character.
(A single woman who does not chase men is known as a/an "old-maid", "spinster", "cat-person" or, lesbian.)
He was a good guy. Not sure why I was so sure of that. Maybe it was a skill that I developed when I was sowing my wild oats.
Go through a period of wild or promiscuous behaviour while young:
he sowed his wild oats before settling down
Your hunt for a single word notwithstanding, this is how I'd put it. It isn't offensive (on the contrary, it can be humorous).
EDIT: In my opinion, the expression can be used by a girl. Though etymologically it looks like it's restricted to men, as @Janus pointed out.
In any case, I'd let my female character use it.
For a single word, consider the one in the definition: promiscuous.
man
:)
Jun 25, 2015 at 15:28