Driving down the street you see someone honking, hitting the wheel, screaming with the windows up..

Like, really, you mad bro LOL

If it's used to describe an angry woman on DU, that post is likely to get hidden.

If it's used to describe a behavior in general, I think the post would be left.

Intent and context often determine which definition of a word is meant, along with how it is perceived by the reader.

"Fascinate" will never create a problem, though. It's a very useful word without any real gender connotations in English.

There, a serious answer to your post.

At least, on DU.

Seems to be a lot of chatter on this subject today.

a man. But I'm pretty sure most people would find it offensive if used to describe a woman. I tend to think it's not gender specific, but given the origin of the word, some might think differently.

make "the no no list" around here.

That's the question within the question IMO.

terminology used to diagnose. So just like its wrong to classify people as a sociopath, or bi-polar, etc. its out of line to classify someone as hysterical.

But if you say that cartoon is hysterical. Then its ok.

If its used to diagnose or devalue a person, especially a woman, then it is not.

Ditto for "fascinate."

A case could be made that either term is gender-problematic, depending on usage (of course).