itesses

The term "itesses" is an informal and often humorous neologism used to refer to female adherents or proponents of any particular belief, ideology, movement, or even a trivial trend. It is a portmanteau, combining the pronoun "it" with the feminine suffix "-ess," which has historically been used to denote a female equivalent of a masculine noun (e.g., actress, poetess). The usage of "itesses" is typically lighthearted and not intended to be a formal or academic term.

The word gained some traction in online communities and social media as a playful way to discuss women involved in a specific interest or group. For example, one might refer to "Swifties" as "Taylor Swift itesses," or fans of a particular video game as "the game's itesses." The term is not widely recognized in standard dictionaries and its usage is largely confined to informal conversational contexts. Its etymology suggests a linguistic playfulness, creating a feminine designation for something that might otherwise lack a specific gendered term or where a gendered term might seem unnecessary or awkward. The inherent informality of "itesses" means it is rarely, if ever, used in serious or formal discourse.