What is a non-gendered synonym for "macho"?

Question

In teaching computer science, I often want to mention certain beliefs that would normally be described as "macho", such as "Strong types are for weak minds" (translation: only lousy programmers need a compiler that catches mistakes for them) or "Real programmer use assembly language". You can see that attitude in these cartoons:

I assume this inspired the following:

How would you describe these programmers other than "macho"? The closest terms I can think of are "tough", "reductionistic", and "masochistic", but none are quite right. (FWIW, I teach at a women's college, and men are the coeds.)

Answer 1

In computer world, it seems like hardcore programmer is used in this sense and "Real programmer" phenomenon is compared to No true Scotsman fallacy. [However, hardcore programmer might be used in other senses as well.]

The term Real Programmer in computer folklore has come to describe the archetypical "hardcore" programmer who eschews the modern languages and tools of the day in favour of more direct and efficient solutions—closer to the hardware. The alleged defining features of a "Real Programmer" are extremely subjective, differing with time and place, in the fashion of the "no true Scotsman" fallacy. [Wikipedia]

Definition of "real programmer" from "The New Hacker's Dictionary" by Eric S. Raymond:

Real Programmer: [indirectly, from the book "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche"] n. A particular sub-variety of hacker: one possessed of a flippant attitude toward complexity that is arrogant even when justified by experience. The archetypal `Real Programmer' likes to program on the bare metal and is very good at same, remembers the binary opcodes for every machine he has ever programmed, thinks that HLLs are sissy, and uses a debugger to edit his code because full-screen editors are for wimps.

Related Dilbert comic strip:

Related readings:

• _{http://ronrecord.com/Mel.html}
• _{http://blog.enfranchisedmind.com/2009/04/return-of-the-real-programmer/}

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It might be diverging from your context but:

In plain English, you can consider curt to emphasize a way of speaking that’s brief and blunt. It also has an added sense of being rude or rudely short.

A very similar word is brusque which can also be more general and describe the behavior.

curt: rudely brief or abrupt, as in speech or manner [TFD]

brusque: talking or behaving in a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way [MW]

An example of gender-politics situation from Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins case (on the issue of employer liability for sex discrimination):

The Gender Line: Men, Women, and the Law By Nancy Levit

Answer 2

In the particular context you give here, it’s not really about strength, but more about doing things in the most basic, unaided, original way possible. Considering we’re talking about developing computer code, this no-tech-help-allowed approach might properly be called oxymoronic, but a better term would, I think, be old-school (also written old-skool for humorous Internet effect):

: typical of an earlier style or form : based on a way of doing things that was common in the past
: using or supporting traditional practices
(Merriam-Webster)

A positive appellation referring to when things weren't flashy but empty of substance, were done by hard work, didn't pander to the lowest common denominator, and required real skill. Labour-saving devices, shortcuts that reduce quality and quitting before the task is done are not characteristics of "old school."
(Urban Dictionary)

This basic ‘feel’ of something can then be combined with some of the other suggestions already given here; the people in your comic strips can be described as competitively old-school or superciliously old-school, for example.

Or if a noun is what you’re after, competitive/supercilious old-schooler works very well, too. Unlike old-school itself, which has shades of meanings that are not relevant here (as in the M-W quotes above), old-schooler to my knowledge has only the meaning relevant to the UD quote above.

Answer 3

I think I would suggest that these individuals are demonstrating one-upmanship, or are perhaps purists or pedants.

One-upmanship is the art or practice of successively outdoing a competitor [...] the systematic and conscious practice of "creative intimidation", making one's associates feel inferior and thereby gaining the status of being "one-up" on them [...] Wikipedia

A pedant is a person who is excessively concerned with formalism, accuracy, and precision, or who makes an ostentatious and arrogant show of learning. Wikipedia

A purist is one who desires that an item remain true to its essence and free from adulterating or diluting influences. [...] According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the term dates from 1706 and is defined as "a person who adheres strictly and often excessively to a tradition" [...] Wikipedia

Answer 4

Other than hardcore (or maybe it should be "hardcore" in air quotes—and yes, these are both fairly specific to this context to carry a similar depth of meanings), I think the closest word you're going to find that tries to wrap in the multiple connotations of macho is going to be vainglorious.

This manages to encompass not only the sense of pompous egotism, but also still catching a hint that perhaps there is a degree of basis for it (probably not to the extent expressed), whether that's rightly or wrongly something to express pride in at all, or particularly to such a crass degree (which macho is usually assumed to do as well). It usually also attaches some of the bullheadedness that is assumed to go along with "macho," particularly with a sense of obstreperousness.

This is somewhat a tough one, because it really depends on what particular connotations you had intended to attach to "macho" in this context, and therefor which ones you wanted to keep in the replacement phrasing, since "macho" is easily so highly contextual in terms of final interpretation.

Answer 5

Popular question with many interesting answers. I am a recovering computer nerd, and I have worked in multiple professions that had similar battles of, "Oh yeah? Well, I can do the same thing but with my eyes closed."

A useful word for these people:

Pretentious, adjective

[Informal definition] : having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to be regarded as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are

1 : characterized by pretension: as

a : making usually unjustified or excessive claims (as of value or standing)

b : expressive of affected, unwarranted, or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature

--Merriam-Webster

My first computer (VIC 20) was so old that it did not have a hard drive: it had a tape drive for storing data and programs. Yes, I programmed in line-numbered Basic but that is irrelevant to important questions such as: can I accomplish the current task? Can I complete it on time? Will my work product be usable by others and modifiable by those who follow me?

Humans are social animals. Life is usually more similar to a relay footrace than to a solo footrace: the fastest person in the world is useless on a relay team if he or she cannot reliably receive or pass the baton.

Boasting about extreme competence in unnecessary skills is overvaluing those skills and attempting to inflate one's esteem: it is pretentious.

Answer 6

Die-hard programmer comes to mind:

adjective

: very determined or loyal;

especially

: very loyal to a set of beliefs and not willing to change those beliefs

Of course, this phrase is particularly endearing if you have watched John McClane choose the hardest way to do every thing in every scene of every Die Hard movie. Yipee Ki Yay, [Bruce Willis]!

Answer 7

There are some very good answers here, but I would add the followning for the case in question

luddite

inverted snob

Answer 8

Rather than try for a replacement, I'd go with "macho (pause and smile) or macha, if you prefer". This establishes that you are aware of the connotations of folks who take machismo seriously, and are willing to have a little fun with such concerns, while at the same time acknowledging the parallels found in geek behavior.

And while several comments have decried the connection of the two concepts (is "geek machismo" an oxymoron?) there are connections. The sort of exchange typified by the cartoons in the OP do occur, although not quite as absurdly (which is what makes them funny. To those who do find them funny.) and represent a struggle for dominance, at least in the conversation.

Answer 9

IMPERIOUS adjective:

assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. "his imperious demands"

Synonyms: peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial, overbearing, overweening, domineering, authoritarian, dictatorial, autocratic, authoritative, lordly, assertive, bossy, arrogant, haughty, presumptuous

Google

or, possibly:

SUPERCILIOUS adjective:

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others. "a supercilious lady's maid"

Synonyms: arrogant, haughty, conceited, disdainful, overbearing, pompous, condescending, superior, patronizing, imperious, proud, snobbish, snobby, smug, scornful, sneering

Google

or maybe:

ARCH-CONSERVATIVE adjective:

1. extremely averse to change and strongly adhering to traditional values. "his social philosophy is archconservative"

ARCH-CONSERVATIVE noun:

1. a person who is extremely averse to change and strongly adheres to traditional values.

Google

Answer 10

I was going to say that "macho" and in general badassery is a male trait anyway, which reminded me of a nice word for you: Badass.

Answer 11

Another useful phrase to add to the list is all hat and no cattle. You would use this one for someone who brags a lot about their accomplishments, but doesn't have the actual skill and persistence to back it up.

As you might guess, the term originates from American (specifically Texan) cattle rancher culture:

... it dates back roughly to the 1940s when Texas's traditional, agrarian, ranching economy was being tilted on its head by oilmen and an influx of Northeners (or just non-Texan Southerners, who don't necessarily get Texas either) to the Third Coast. These people may have owned ranches as part of a personal fortune but weren't ranchers in their blood, and many may have put on Texas affectations as an entertaining hobby of forced quaintness, which native Texans perceived as patronizing.

(It may also help to know that the stereotypical Texan cattle rancher wears a large, distinctive hat.)

Answer 12

Bro-grammer is how I've heard this kind of (usually male) petty upsmanship braggartry described. But it is an old game. See Monty Python's Four Yorkshiremen Sketch.

Answer 13

I would describe the illustrated attitudes as competitive. If you want to imply a somewhat more aggressive attitude, you might use cutthroat.

A slang word that is associated with macho but is sometimes applied to both men and women is butch.

Answer 14

Impudent describes the actual behavior.

Impudent, a. [L. impudens.] Shameless; wanting modesty; bold with contempt of others; saucy.

So more figuratively Brazen:

1. Pertaining to brass; proceeding from brass; as a brazen din.
2. Impudent; having a front like brass.

The metallic qualities could also be considered things like hard or tough.

Also since you evidently have a sense of humor, mulet fish. [See Webster's Revised Unabridged, 1913 entry for Macho.]

Impudent and Brazen pulled from Noah Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, (1828): Examples omitted.

Answer 15

You've already suggested strong, but there's also no-nonsense.

Answer 16

What about "hacker" as in the original use of the term, not it's current usage which is conflated with "cracker"?

Answer 17

This calls for a neologism: nerdolympic.

I do like supercilious above, too. One-upmanship, also, although I don't know what the adjecvtival form of that is. "Arrogant" falls somewhere in the right ballpark, but it needs some sort of qualifier, as that nerd arrogance is not your garden variety arrogance, it's its own special thing.

Answer 18

I am not certain if I understand your question entirely but in simple language would words such as: Be Firm; Steadfast or Immovable, suffice your needs? These can be used for both genders and can be spoken for motivational purposes especially in teaching values. I have heard them myself in different scenarios with positive effects coming from them, for either male or female listeners.