#AtoZChallenge: N is for NEANDERTHAL

35 Comments#AtoZChallenge 2015, Language, Writing/Blogging

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#AtoZChallenge, Day 14: N is for NEANDERTHAL, The Doglady's Den
Day 14, April 16

#AtoZChallenge 2015: N is or NEANDERTHAL #dogladysden Click To Tweet

Ne·an·der·thal

nēˈandərTHôl/

noun

1. an extinct species of human that was widely distributed in ice-age Europe between
circa 120,000–35,000 years ago, with a receding forehead and prominent brow ridges.
The Neanderthals were associated with the Mousterian flint industry of the Middle Paleolithic.

2. an uncivilized, unintelligent, or uncouth person, especially a man.

“the stereotype of the mechanic as a macho Neanderthal”

Also used as an adjective: “a neanderthal attitude”, “neanderthal behaviour”

Pardon the gender discrimination. 😛
There are women who also fit this description, but we call them something else. 😉

See also JUSTIFICATION

neanderthal
Image by GraphicMama-team from Pixabay

As mentioned, I have encountered these neanderthals mostly online  (Trolls), but also in the corporate world. They are chauvinistic, rude and bigoted, spouting extreme opinions and heaping abuse on anyone who dares to disagree.

Their aim is to upset you and drag you down in the mud with them. Never give them the satisfaction! Rise above and dazzle them with your intellect! Laugh at their insults and always remain courteous. That really makes them crazy! 😀

Psychology of an internet troll:

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FUN FACT:
Origin: German Neanderthal “Neander Valley”, gorge near Düsseldorf
(close to my birthplace), where humanoid fossils were identified in 1856.
Circa 1926, neanderthal became popular British slang for a “big, brutish, stupid person.”

Have you ever encountered these neanderthal types? 
How did you handle them?
Looking forward to your comments!
Debbie

AtoZbanner, 2015
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35 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge: N is for NEANDERTHAL

  1. LOL I have met my share of Neanderthals and as much as I loved my year in Australia I met a fair few aussie neanderthals they may as well have a wooden bat LOL From my home city of Newcastle upon Tyne most of them frequent this drinking area called the Big Market a reason I never frequented that place.

    1. Interesting! I’ve heard that Australian men (at least some of them) can be quite chauvinistic. LOL Let’s hope it’s a small minority. I think every bar in the world has its share of neanderthals.

  2. Gee, I missed commenting on this one. Must remedy that right away! Ah, Neanderthals! Yes, we’ve all known them, online and off unfortunately. I think some live on my street even. Hahaha! I liked that piece of “PEDANTIC” trivia about where they found the fossils near your birthplace, Debbie. Just teasing you! It was very interesting. Just kidding around. Don’t mind me.

    1. We have a few Neanderthals in the neighbourhood too. 🙂 As for the trivia, it was interesting to me, anyway, 😉 because I didn’t know about it before.

    2. Hope you didn’t mind me teasing you, Debbie. I liked learning about them finding the fossils near your birthplace in Germany. Very interesting, indeed. Made is seem more personal that way, too. Don’t mind me when I get silly which is often!

      1. I don’t mind at all, Cathy and could use some good-natured ribbing now and then. Takes me away from that incessant Teutonic seriousness. 😀

  3. I love this word!

    Just popping in to share my N-thoughts…
    This is a noteworthy newsflash to nip and neutralize the negativity of the narrow-minded, non-supportive, nasty naysayers… who had the nerve to say: never, no ways, it will come to naught and you are all nuts, numbskulls and nincompoops and not likely to nail the challenge.
    The notorious A to Z nomads are still navigating new territories and discovering new neighbours!
    A belated happy N-Day!

  4. Interesting video on trolls and psychology. So if you disagree with someone’s viewpoint, you may be tagged a troll? Or am I just not understanding the troll concept?

    1. No, Suzy, it’s the other way around. The trolls will disagree with you and in the rudest, nasiest manner possible. Their aim is to upset you.

    1. They could very well be sociopaths, Elly. 😀 Mostly to be found where inflammatory subjects like politics and religion are discussed.

  5. Enjoyed this post – but – Oh yes, have come across one or two… Not a pleasant meeting… But as you say: rise above, laugh – or simply ignore.I never heard of Neanderthal as referring to uncuth people or trolls. Interesting, since we have no clue whether the real Neanderthals were like this.

  6. Girl, I used to own a bar: I’ve run into tons of neanderthals!!! What surprises me is the number of women who seem to be attracted to neanderthal-types! What???! Give me a nice guy any day! I’ve been through my bad-boy phase… 🙂
    I liked the definition of trolls. I’ve encountered a fair share of trolls too. The most places I usually see them is in the comments section of news reports. And I often can’t even stomach reading the comments in a political article. Lord, help me there! That’s a haven for trolls and the fighting is outrageous!
    Another great word. When I think neanderthal, I think brute…

    1. You must have seen all types, owning a bar, Michele. Ever considering writing a book about it? I’d read it. 😀 Most of us went through a “bad boy” phase, but I wouldn’t deal with one now. No way! Yes, those comments sections are brutal and especially the ones dealing with politics. Get ready for some major mud-slinging regarding your upcoming Presidential election!

      1. Oh, I don’t even want to think about it. It’s already starting. I just hope the majority of people here want to see a woman President. It’s going to be a long, tired race, that’s for sure. It will probably stress me out. Forget watching Sunday morning politics on TV. I can’t even watch anymore: I get too angry and wound up and it ends up ruining my day!
        Re: writing a book about the bar: I should really do that! It was a trip, those years… 🙂

  7. Enjoyed this post – but – Oh yes, have come across one or two… Not a pleasant meeting… But as you say: rise above, laugh – or simply ignore. They are not worth it

  8. I never heard of Neanderthal as referring to uncuth people or trolls. Interesting, since we have no clue whether the real Neanderthals were like this. Some autistic people believe they’re descended from the Neanderthals.

    1. The real Neanderthals probably were somewhat “uncouth”, but it’s a fun word to describe such brutes in modern times. 🙂 Interesting about the autistic connection, Astrid.

  9. Yes I have come across people like them, I normally ignore them, that’s the best.
    Loved… ‘Pardon the gender discrimination….’ wonder what would be the term for female neanderthal. lol

    1. I’m not that good at ignoring, if the topic is one I feel strongly about, but that’s okay, because I consider “neanderthal bating” to be something of a sport. 😀 As for female equivalents, a word that starts with”C” comes to mind, but I’m not going to spell it out. 😉

  10. Yes, I’ve known a Neanderthal type. He didn’t start out that way – he was actually very sweet, in the beginning – but as years passed by, he became more and more terrible. How did I handle it? Unable to avoid falling into his trap and fighting back (he pushed forward with his Neandertholic manners until you couldn’t stand it anymore) I bought a one-way plane ticket and came back to America, I should have more attention to my first impression. :3

    1. So sorry you had to go through that, Mary. 🙁 At least you had the courage to break free and start a new life. Many people wouldn’t have.

  11. Ignoring the Neanderthal types makes them absolutely crazy, as does proving they are idiots, as you say, in the most polite manner possible 😉
    Tasha
    Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

  12. Never have I used the word “Neanderthal” and thankfully no one has ever referred to me as such. It is kind of a funny word though. Never knew the origin of the word. Interesting fact.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host

    1. You could never be described as a Neanderthal, Lee. 🙂 This is reserved for brutish bully types. I wasn’t aware of the geographical origins until researching this.