gentle sex
or gentler sex
noun Older Use: Sometimes Offensive.
women in general (usually used facetiously): courtesy toward the gentle sex.
Origin of gentle sex
First recorded in 1575–85
usage note for gentle sex
This is a dated term, usually used for humorous effect but sometimes perceived as condescending to women. It makes reference to a stereotype of women’s basic nature, namely that women are gentle in comparison to men.