Since When Does Curvy Mean Fat?

​I’m just going to come out and say it. Since when does curvy mean fat?
 
Seriously.   
 
I did not get the memo.
 
Why am I bringing this up now?
 
I recently finished writing the third book in the Careful-ish series (thank you), and sent it to my editor. When he questioned one character’s physical appearance, I was taken aback. He assumed that Carmen was overweight. I asked why he thought that, and he said it was because I had described her as curvy.
 
What?
 
Doesn’t curvy mean someone with curves? An ample bust, a smaller waist, nice hips…curves?
 
So, I argued with him.


Not being one to let things go, he needed to prove his point. That’s his job. I, of course, was waiting for him to be proven wrong. But no. If you Google “curvy,” you’re flooded with images of plus size women.
 
This can’t be.
 
So, I went to the dictionary. “Curvy – (Of a woman's figure) shapely and voluptuous.” See!
 
But then I went to the Urban Dictionary which says, “Despite popular belief, curvy does not mean fat. Curvy is an hour-glass figure; large breasts, hips, and with a comparatively small waist.”
 
Popular belief? Why is that belief popular?
 
My impression is that too many people walking the Earth feel that any departure from a stick figure is fat, unwelcome, not desirable, not worthy of being desired.
 
Depressing. But there is hope.
 
I recently moved to the American deep south. And I am pleased to say that things here are a bit different in regard to framing the curvy debate. I was invited to someone’s pool. When I said that I wasn’t feeling particularly bathing suit-ish after New Year’s Eve, she said, “Oh come on. I’m fluffier than you.”
 
Fluffy.
 
I love fluffy.
 
All of a sudden, having a shape other than a straight line was a warm fuzzy. Playful. Dare I say, desirable?
 
So, what is the take away?
 
I’d like to reclaim the word “curvy.” To embrace it. Because curves are worth embracing. No matter how large or small, curves are visually interesting, can be exciting, and are worthy of being embraced.
 
Curvy is not a size. It can be thin, ample, large and beyond.
 
Curvy is shapely.
 
So, if—excuse me, when you read Daughter of Careful-ish or the forthcoming Bride of Careful-ish, please know that Carmen is a beautiful, curvy Latina. And you’d be crazy not to be attracted to her. 
 
Cheers,
Honey