There are lots of other words people use [to describe larger body types]. Curvy, chubby, stout, voluptuous, zaftig, fluffy, big-boned, thick, and so on. But they don’t really describe my body in a meaningful way when I want to talk about my particular body experience.
...
There are plenty of other words that have been thrown my way over the years. But, for my linguistic energy, fat is still the best thing out there. It’s not a fancy word but I don’t need it to be. It’s one of the first words we learn to read; it’s basic. It’s as basic as “This is my body.” My body is many things. My body is fat.
The objection, of course, is that fat is used as an insult, is used to tear people down. It’s a successful insult because of the cultural perception that fat is bad.
I tell you what, my fat is not bad. It isn’t morally wrong, nor is it poorly behaved. It simply is. I’m not afraid of my fat and so I am not afraid of the word. “You’re fat,” (or, more commonly from trolls, “Your fat”) is a statement of fact, not an insult. Why, yes, yes, I am fat. Isn’t it delightful?
- From the always delightful and amazing Marianne Kirby at The Rotund.
In case you were wondering, I enjoy the word 'zaftig' a lot, but I am, at my core, just plain-old fat. It's not a revelation to say that about myself - I've been calling myself fat for years. What is new is the fact that I am saying it without judging myself. Fat as a descriptive word with no moral weight attached to it - THAT is a revelation.
In related news, I think I am addicted to Alight. Mmmmmm clothes!
