if an author describes a girl as having a pug nose, is that a compliment?
Probably not, on the other hand it's probably not an insult either.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pug%20nose
a nose having a slightly concave bridge and flattened nostrils
Beauty is really personal. On a woman, it's not something that I personally would find to be either particularly attractive or unattractive on it's own.
The girl has a pug nose, her opinions would determine her response to the comment.
If the girl did not have a pug nose, she would probably take it as an insult.
The girl has a pug nose, her opinions would determine her response to the comment.
If the girl did not have a pug nose, she would probably take it as an insult.
1. If an author describes a fictional female character as having a pug nose, then she has a pug nose.
2. An author describing a fictional character is doing so to the reader not to the character's face, so there would be no opportunity for the character to take offense even if she were so inclined as to take offense.
On the other hand, it sways the reader's perception.
If an author describes a character as a lard-ass, the reader is likely to adopt a less positive perception of the character than if they were described as plus-size.
AJ
On the other hand, it sways the reader's perception.
Agreed.
However given the definition I posted above for pug nose as applied to humans, I don't see how it would be obviously insulting and thus sway the reader's perception in a negative direction.
The OP was asking about how his fictional character should react to being told she has a pug nose. He did not specify if she did or did not have a pug nose, so I gave my opinion of both possibilities.
The OP was asking about how his fictional character should react to being told she has a pug nose.
What OP actually wrote was
if an author describes a girl as having a pug nose, is that a compliment?
To me, that's the author describing the girl to the readers.
AJ
if an author describes a girl as having a pug nose, is that a compliment?
For me, the OP's post means if an author's physical description of a female character included "pug nose" would forum readers think the term is a compliment.
For me, the OP's post means if an author's physical description of a female character included "pug nose" would forum readers think the term is a compliment.
So why did you respond with?:
If the girl did not have a pug nose, she would probably take it as an insult.
1. If the author included "pug nose" in the description of the character than the character has a pug nose. There is no if on that point.
2. Why is a speculative reaction by the character based on the character not matching the author's description relevant to what forum readers would/should think?
For me, the OP's post means if an author's physical description of a female character included "pug nose" would forum readers think the term is a compliment.
So why did you say
The OP was asking about how his fictional character should react to being told she has a pug nose.
AJ
if an author describes a girl as having a pug nose, is that a compliment?
Given the association with a breed of dog notorious for having breathing difficulties, it's probably best to use an alternative description these days.
If your thinking of the nose shape that I'm thinking of, it's very common in East Asians. Surely they have a better name for it.
AJ
If your thinking of the nose shape that I'm thinking of, it's very common in East Asians. Surely they have a better name for it.
Perhaps, but how well does it transliterate into English?
I think the POLITE English term is Upturned Nose
You are about a million miles short of a cogent argument that "pug nose" is impolite.
I think the POLITE English term is Upturned Nose
Is 'snub nose' another synonym or is that something different?
AJ
People here seem to think a pug nose is ugly based on some definition. Where I grew up, a pug nose was a small nose that turned up. It was thought to be nice on a girl. Delicate. Cute.
I've been watching this topic a couple of days. My first thought was "pug" sounds bad. Just now, I did a search of "pug nose human". Except for one image of a deformity that might scare children, I cant figure out what a pug nose is.
I would say you could have the character react any way you want. However, if you are describing the nose to me as a reader, then perhaps a different word, or more adjectives such a "cute pug". Just my opinion as a reader.