the fair sex

the fair/fairer sex

(old-fashioned)

women

Usage notes: Some women think this phrase is offensive.

My father hated the idea of me joining the army. He always said it wasn't a suitable occupation for the fair sex.

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Florrie	FLAWR-ee	English
Keith	[ki:θ]
&Aelig;&Eth;Elfri&Eth;	-	Anglo-Saxon
Milka (1)	-	Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, Macedonian, Bulgarian
Hana (3)	hah-nah	Japanese
Nerina	-	Italian