Weight and See

 

February 19, 2023

 

I’ve complained before about authors referring to women who are 5’4” as short, when in fact they are average height; but here’s a new one.

 

I’ve just been reading a book in which a woman was described as 5’4” with “the plump, round-shouldered look of someone who spent their time behind a desk.” Later it’s revealed that said woman weighs 120 pounds.

 

I realize that her lack of physical fitness, not her weight, was the point of the description—but it was still absurd. No matter how out of shape she was, there is no way in the world a woman who is 5’4” inches tall and 120 pounds could be described as looking plump.

 

If I’d been the copy editor, I’d have questioned the description with a snide, “Was this woman exceptionally fine-boned?”

 

In other words—try again, author.