A younger man attracted to an older woman is often called a cub, her "cub," especially when the woman is considered a "cougar" (an older woman dating younger men); other slang terms include toyboy, boy toy, or simply part of a "May-December" relationship, though no single formal term universally defines the man.
There's no specific term that universally applies, but people often refer to these relationships as ``cougar'' relationships. The term ``cougar'' typically describes an older woman who actively seeks out relationships with younger men.
Manther. New Word Suggestion. [opposite of cougar] A middle-aged man who seeks sexual or romantic relationships with much younger women.
A person with such a sexual preference is a gerontophile or gerontosexual.
What does manther mean? A manther is the male version of a cougar, or a middle-aged woman who has the hots for younger men. Manthers are older men who pursue partners significantly younger than them.
Age 18-21: Wildcat Age 22-29: Lynx Age 30-39: Puma Age 40-49: Cougar Age 50-59: Jaguar Age 60-69: Panther Age 70-79: Cheetah Age 80-89: Leopard Age 90-99: Sabertooth Tiger Age 100+: Lion. Puma!
What to Call a Male Karen. There's no consensus for what to call a male Karen, but some people call them Kevins, Gregs, or Terrys. Alternatively, you could just call them “Karen” or “Male Karen” without changing the gender and people will get what you mean.
The biggest red flags in a guy are controlling behavior, lack of respect, emotional manipulation (like gaslighting or the silent treatment), extreme jealousy, anger issues, and dishonesty, all signaling potential abuse or toxicity. Other major warning signs include emotional unavailability, inconsistency (love bombing followed by withdrawal), blaming others, and mismatched life goals, indicating an inability to compromise or grow. These patterns often repeat and harm your well-being, showing a lack of maturity or empathy.
"Half-your-age-plus-seven" rule
According to this rule, a 28-year-old would date no one younger than 21 (half of 28, plus 7) and a 50-year-old would date no one younger than 32 (half of 50, plus 7). Although the provenance of the rule is unclear, it is sometimes said to have originated in France.
In behavioral science, androphilia and gynephilia are sexual orientations: Androphilia is sexual attraction to men and/or masculinity; gynephilia is sexual attraction to women and/or femininity.
Most people will say “cubs,” but this is both silly and unnecessary. Older women who chase after young guys are unique enough to earn the nickname “cougars,” but virtually all young men are attracted to older women. Thus, no special term is needed.
In the United States, "puma" has been used as slang for a cougar minus ten years; she is defined as a woman in her 30s who prefers dating younger men. Hollywood celebrity Jennifer Aniston has long been associated with the term due to her relationships with younger men, most notably John Mayer (nine years younger).
Cougar signs include tracks, scat, scratches and cached (partially buried) prey. Seeing a lion in the wild is an especially rare occurrence. Cougars are solitary, elusive, and very stealthy.
Many younger men are drawn to older women because of their confidence, emotional maturity, and clarity about what they want. Older women often bring depth, stability, and honest communication qualities that can make a relationship feel more grounded and real.
Mountain lion, puma, cougar, panther—these cats are known by more names than just about any other mammal! But no matter what you call them, they're still the same cat, Puma concolor, the largest of the "small cats." So why do we call them so many different names?
The word cougar is also a slang term for an older woman who dates much younger men. Even when it is meant to be a compliment, like any stereotype, cougar has the potential to offend — best to avoid.
But it does provide some rough guidelines as to how soon may be too soon to make long-term commitments and how long may be too long to stick with a relationship. Each of the three numbers—three, six, and nine—stands for the month that a different common stage of a relationship tends to end.
Signs of an Unhealthy Power Imbalance
The 777 rule in relationships is a guideline for intentionally nurturing your connection by scheduling quality time: a date every 7 days, a night away every 7 weeks, and a longer vacation every 7 months. This structure helps couples avoid disconnection, reduce stress, and build intimacy by creating regular, focused moments for communication, fun, and deeper bonding, though it's flexible and adaptable to individual needs.
“Breadcrumbing is when you give an individual just enough morsels of attention to keep them interested or hooked into the relationship (or situationship), without any intention of really committing,” Dr.
The 5-5-5 rule in marriage is a mindfulness and communication tool that encourages couples to pause and ask themselves: Will this matter in 5 minutes, 5 days, or 5 years? It's designed to help de-escalate conflict and shift focus to what truly matters.
10 Green Flags in Men in a Relationship
In 2019, dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster wrote that "Becky" was "increasingly functioning as an epithet, and being used especially to refer to a white woman who is ignorant of both her privilege and her prejudice." The term "Karen" has a similar connotation but is associated with older women.
The male counterpart to the term 'hag', which is typically used for females, is not as commonly recognized as the term 'hag' itself. However, similar derogatory terms for aging men include 'codger' or 'curmudgeon' but they do not carry the same supernatural connotations as 'hag'.
The newest iteration of “Karen,” according to Gen Z users of TikTok and other social media sites, is “Jessica” — a name that's popular among both Gen X and Millennial women.