herbivore man

English

Etymology

Calque of Japanese 草食男子 (sōshoku danshi, “herbivorous/grass-eating male”). Original term coined by Maki Fukasawa in an article on the website Nikkei Business Online on 13 October 2006.

Noun

herbivore man (plural herbivore men)

1. (neologism) A man, especially a Japanese man, who eschews romantic relationships.

   Synonym: grass-eater

   • 2018 November 13, Kate Julian, “Why Are Young People Having So Little Sex?”, in The Atlantic‎^[1]:

     These “herbivore men,” as they are known in English, are said to be ambivalent about pursuing either women or conventional success.

See also

• hikikomori