Gyneolatry [Gr. γυνή woman + -(o)latry.] refers to an adoration and/or excessive devotion to women. The behavior is sometimes referred to by alternative terms such as chivalry, benevolent sexism, gynocentrism, pussy worshiping, simping, cuckoldry, sycophancy, woman worship, or profeminism.

Earliest use of the term pairs it with chivalry, as in the following examples:

“The sentimental gyniolatry of chivalry, which was at best but skin-deep, is lifted in Beatrice to an ideal and universal plane.”

[1876 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. ii. 36]

“Looked at with the scientific eye it is sheer gyneolatry – the chivalrous sentiment inflated with poetic wind, like a bubble, to the utmost possible degree of iridescent tenuity.” [The Life and Works of Friedrich Schiller (H. Holt, 1901)]

Also: gynolatry, gyniolatry, gynaeolatry, gynecolatry, gynaecolatry

The following are examples of gyneolatry from historical literature:

Gyneolatry:

Book Chat, Volumes 3-4 (Brentano Bros., 1888)



The Life and Works of Friedrich Schiller (H. Holt, 1901)



The Athenæum, vol 2 (British Periodicals Limited, 1909)



Zones of the spirit: a book of thoughts (G.P. Putnam, 1913)



The Collected Works, Volume 1 (Oxford University Press, H. Milford, 1924)



Oxford Dictionary entry for Gyniolatry

