Casually talking about adult female friends is tricky business. Calling them “guys” can be considered misgendering. Calling them “girls” could be disrespectful. Calling them “women” is bizarrely formal and impersonal. “Ladies” is formal and/or condescending. Calling them “females” is TERF-y and makes you sound like a goddamn Ferengi posting on /r/incels.

Does this… does this mean “dames” should make a comeback? It’s vintage and a little slang-y, but also implies that you’re hanging out with a bunch of knights.