Kristian Ferrell
WAGs, an acronym for wives and girlfriends, has been used to refer to the wives and girlfriends of high-profile athletes, particularly footballers. The term first appeared in the early 2000s and gained popularity during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, when it was used to describe Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole. WAGs have been portrayed in the media as simply spending their partner's money and seeking fame, however, this image has been criticised as sexist and offensive by groups such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Many WAGs are successful, college-educated women who have given up their careers to support their partner's career and raise a family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Wives and Girlfriends |
| Who are WAGs? | Wives and girlfriends of professional athletes |
| Origin of the term | Coined by the British tabloid press |
| First use | 1955, according to some sources. The first recorded use was in 2002, according to others. |
| Variations | Husbands and boyfriends of celebrities and world leaders |
| Perception | The term is often interpreted as demeaning to women and has been criticised by athletes' partners and groups like the Equality and Human Rights Commission. |
| Reality | WAGs are often college-educated and may give up their careers to support their partners and raise families. |
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What You'll Learn
The origin of the term 'WAG'
The term WAG is an acronym for wives and girlfriends of high-profile athletes. It is believed that the term was first used by the British tabloid press to refer to the wives and girlfriends of the England national football team. The acronym gained popularity during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, when it was used to refer to Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole. However, there are claims that the term was first published in the 1991 novel "Polo" by Jilly Cooper.
WAGs are often celebrities in their own right, having achieved success in various fields such as music, fashion, and business. The fascination with WAGs stems from their association with famous athletes and the perception of them as glamorous and high-profile figures. The term has been criticised by some as sexist and demeaning to women, implying a link between women and dogs happily wagging their tails at their owners. Despite the criticism, the term WAG has persisted and even inspired reality television shows such as "WAGs Boutique" and "WAG Nation".
The term has also given rise to variations such as "WWAGs" ("Wimbledon Wives and Girlfriends") and "deluxe-edition Wag girlfriend". It has been used in non-footballing contexts as well, such as referring to the wife of comedian Peter Cook as a "Sixties Wag". The Equalities and Human Rights Commission criticised the use of the term in 2010, stating that it was offensive and used to demean women.
Despite the controversy surrounding the term, WAGs themselves have described the unique bond and support system they share. They understand the pressure of being an emotional powerhouse and support system for their significant others in the public eye. The fascination with WAGs continues, with the media and the public closely following the lives of these high-profile women.
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Criticism of the term 'WAG'
The acronym WAGs, which stands for "Wives and Girlfriends," came into common use during the 2006 FIFA World Cup to refer to Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole. The term had been used occasionally before that, with some suggesting that the first recorded use of the term was in the 1991 novel Polo by Jilly Cooper.
WAGs has been the subject of criticism, with many deeming it a sexist and demeaning term towards women. The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) criticised the term, stating that it could be offensive and was often used to demean women. Felicity Morse, a commentator, has reflected similar views, arguing that "referring to any woman pejoratively as a 'wife or girlfriend' is not acceptable." The casual repetition of this chauvinist term has normalised it, and it has contributed to an image of footballers' wives and girlfriends as simply spending their partners' money.
Those described as WAGs have also criticised the term. Rebekah Vardy, for example, stated that "Wag is a dated term because we're not defined by what our husbands do." Leanne Brown, the wife of former Manchester United defender Wes Brown, has also spoken out against the stigma associated with the term, saying, "We have lived with the WAG stigma for so long... People were quick to brand me a ‘sponger’, just for being a stay-at-home mum."
The focus on the partners of sporting stars has also been criticised. In an October 2008 press conference, England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand heavily criticised the focus on the partners of sporting stars, calling it a "circus." The popularity of the term has led to the creation of reality television shows such as "WAGs Boutique," "WAG Nation," and "WAGS," further contributing to the scrutiny and objectification of athletes' partners.
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The unique bond shared by WAGs
WAGs, an acronym for "wives and girlfriends," refers to the wives and girlfriends of high-profile athletes. The term first appeared in the British tabloid press in the early 2000s, specifically in an article in the Daily Telegraph in May 2002, which explained that "WAGs" was a name given to footballers' wives and girlfriends by staff at the Jumeirah Beach Club in Dubai. While the term is popular and has been used in reality TV shows, it has also been criticized as sexist and offensive, reducing the accomplishments of these women to their appearance and their partners' success.
Despite the controversies surrounding the term, the WAGs themselves often share a unique bond. Mindy Armstead, a WAG, described the support system among the WAGs as a "unique bond that they all share." She explained that no one else can understand the pressure of being an "emotional powerhouse and support system" for a significant other in the public eye. This shared experience of being in the spotlight due to their partners' fame fosters a sense of camaraderie and understanding among the WAGs. They form fast friendships and see themselves as part of a team, often worrying about their homes and families so that their significant others can focus on their athletic performance.
The lives of WAGs are often characterized by instability and frequent moves as their partners' careers take them to different teams and cities. This "gypsy lifestyle," as described by one WAG, can impact their ability to work and establish their own careers. Many WAGs are college-educated and successful women who have chosen to put their careers on hold or given them up entirely to support their partners and raise families. This choice can lead to misconceptions and judgments, with WAGs sometimes perceived as merely spending their partners' money or being labeled as "spongers."
The WAG community includes a diverse range of women, from childhood sweethearts to famous celebrities. Some WAGs were already well-known in their own right before their relationship with athletes, such as singer Taylor Swift, who was rumored to be part of the NFL WAGs due to her association with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Other WAGs have gained increased public attention due to their relationship with athletes, like Georgina Rodriguez, the girlfriend of Cristiano Ronaldo.
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The portrayal of WAGs in the media
The acronym WAGs, which stands for "wives and girlfriends," is predominantly used to refer to the wives and girlfriends of famous athletes. The term was first used by the British tabloid press to refer to the wives and girlfriends of high-profile footballers, specifically the England national football team.
The media often focuses on the glamour and fame associated with being a WAG, rather than the accomplishments and strengths of these women. Felicity Morse, writing in The Independent in 2014, criticised the media for ranking athletes based on their skill level while WAGs are judged solely on their appearance and glamour. The reality of being a WAG is often very different from the luxurious and dramatic portrayal in the media and on reality TV shows. One WAG spoke about how she wanted to use a reality TV show as a platform to show what it's really like to be a WAG and to inspire and promote confidence and strength to other women, but the producers wanted her to lie about her life and portray a false image.
The term WAGs has also evolved to include the husbands and boyfriends of famous athletes and celebrities, but the focus and criticism remain largely directed at the female partners.
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The lives of WAGs versus their portrayal on TV
The acronym WAGs (or Wags) stands for "wives and/or girlfriends" and refers to the wives and girlfriends of high-profile sportsmen and women. The term first came into common use during the 2006 FIFA World Cup to refer to Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole, though it had been used occasionally before then.
The lives of WAGs have been portrayed on various reality TV shows, including WAGs Boutique, WAG Nation, WAGS LA, WAGS Miami, and WAGS Atlanta. These shows typically depict the wives and girlfriends of professional athletes as glamorous, pampered, and living fabulous lives. For example, WAGS LA is described on IMDb as "a show celebrating women because they are in relationships with professional athletes. Therefore, they have access to plenty of money and they bathe in the glow of men who receive adulation due to their athletic prowess."
However, this portrayal of WAGs on TV has been criticized as one-dimensional, demeaning, and offensive. For example, one IMDb review of WAGS LA states that "the women on this show seemed without substance, asked about tips for getting 'wifed up,' showed a very submissive attitude towards their partners—and all in all, seemed like what you would expect some of these women to be like. It's hard to swallow this kind of portrayal of women in 2016—it is very demeaning and even the title of the show refers to their relevance solely through the people they have chosen to marry/date."
Another review of WAGS LA notes that "it feels like 'WAGS', 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians', and 'The Real Housewives of [fill in the city]' will eventually consolidate and become one show," suggesting that these types of reality shows tend to focus on wealth, drama, and the superficial aspects of their subjects' lives rather than showcasing their accomplishments or providing nuanced portrayals.
In addition to the criticism of the portrayal of WAGs on TV, the term "WAG" itself has been criticized as sexist and demeaning to women. For example, in 2010, the British Equalities and Human Rights Commission criticized the term, stating that it is "typically used as 'a "pejorative" phrase to demean a group of women,' adding that the media rarely showed these significant others in a positive light." Similarly, Felicity Morse wrote in The Independent in 2014 that "it’s 2014 and referring to any woman pejoratively as a 'wife or girlfriend' is not acceptable [...] Neither of these roles are anything to be ashamed of, but plenty of these women have accomplishments which amount to more than looking pretty in the stands."
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Frequently asked questions
WAG stands for 'Wives and Girlfriends'. The acronym is used to refer to the wives and girlfriends of high-profile sportsmen and athletes.
No, WAG can also be used in the singular form to refer to a specific partner of an athlete.
The term was first used by the British tabloid press in the early 2000s, specifically in reference to the England national football team.
The term has since been used by media in other countries to refer to the female partners of athletes in general, not just footballers. Variations have also been developed for other relations, such as husbands and boyfriends of celebrities.
Some well-known WAGs include Victoria Beckham, Coleen Rooney, and Georgina Rodriguez.
