Good points! You know, there’s also a case to be made that saying “girlfriend” instead of simply “friend” trivializes or diminishes the significance of a friendship between two women.

It makes is sound somehow less important than a “real” friendship.

Why isn’t the friendship important enough to just call it that?

Of course on the other hand, I get that language is a powerful force and not easy to change, and most people just say things without thinking hard about deeper meanings.

But I’m with you! A friend is a friend, and a girlfriend is different from that!