'90-pound' girl

POSTED BY: AgentRouka
UPDATED: Thursday, February 19, 2009 19:50
VIEWED: 6800
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AGENTROUKA

Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:28 PM

That quote of Wash's about River in the movie ("Start with the part where Jayne gets knocked out by a 90-pound girl, 'cause…I don't think that's ever getting old.") has always bothered me a bit.

Sure, it's said in hyperbole. Sure, it's shorter to say than "110-pound girl" or "120-pound girl"... but still. River's a slight young woman, but she's not an anorexic sceleton.

I mean, 90-pounds for someone with River's (Summer's) height and fitness level... just completely unhealthy and unrealistic.

I know it's a small thing to wrinkle my nose at... but has anyone else been bothered by this, or similar instances on tv?

PIZMOBEACH

Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:39 PM

It's just a common phrase (or was) here in the US. There used to be old school fitness programs that challenged "are you a 90 pound weakling?"

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/numbers/90_pound_weakling.asp

There's something about being under 100 pounds that seems to resonate with everyone as a mark of weakness/slightness, and 90 is easier and quicker to say than 99. I've also heard, "she don't weigh but 90 cent," an updated use.
I wouldn't attach the other connotations to it necessarily.

Related conversation - you could look at Joss wanting to have Kaylee to have more heft than she did. I don't recall if it was F%X or Jewel Staite's own metabalism that kept that from happening.

AGENTROUKA

Thursday, February 19, 2009 2:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pizmobeach:
It's just a common phrase (or was) here in the US. There used to be old school fitness programs that challenged "are you a 90 pound weakling?"

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/numbers/90_pound_weakling.asp

There's something about being under 100 pounds that seems to resonate with everyone as a mark of weakness/slightness, and 90 is easier and quicker to say than 99. I've also heard, "she don't weigh but 90 cent," an updated use.
I wouldn't attach the other connotations to it necessarily.

Oh, I didn't know it was an actual phrase with a certain amount of history.

Well, that certainly makes more sense. Thanks for the information!

Quote:

Related conversation - you could look at Joss wanting to have Kaylee to have more heft than she did. I don't recall if it was F%X or Jewel Staite's own metabalism that kept that from happening.

Well, Jewel DID gain weight for the series, but not for the movie. It's really quite noticable, actually, comparing the two.

I have to say, I prefer her in the series... Not that Jewel isn't always beautiful, but there's just something abou the rounded cheeks and curves. Still, can't argue with a person's natural weight. Jewel said it was quite a chore for her, having to eat all the time to keep the weight on. Not fun!

PHYRELIGHT

Thursday, February 19, 2009 4:25 PM

How tall is Summer? 'Cause there is a difference in silhouette for women of different heights and weights.

KAREL

Thursday, February 19, 2009 4:48 PM

I have had dancer friends, one of whom did divulge her weight to me. She grinned knowing what my reaction would be. Nineteen years old, 5' 6-1/2", 135 lbs. This was before I knew about muscle mass. It was before I knew about a lot of things, actually...

"Whatever is wrong with you is so right for me." -- Marillion.

PHYRELIGHT

Thursday, February 19, 2009 7:27 PM

Yeah, that tends to happen when you know people who know someone famous: you learn intimate details about them.

That height/weight ratio is extremely healthy. She probably has a very, very low fat index and keeps her muscles very well toned, which is why she still appears to be thinner than that.

Now, compare that to my mother, who was very sick recently. She stands at 5' 0", and her lowest recorded weight was 87-pounds 2.5 months ago. She looked like a Holocaust victim. I could count the vertebra in her spine and rib bones just by looking at her at the time. Thankfully, her doctors found her problem, and she's since gained back 15 pounds. (She looks sooooo much better now, and this experience has taught both her and me to appreciate curves on a woman!)

Comparing that to Wash's "90-pound girl" statement, I'm sure he was just trying to further humiliate Jayne. Silly Wash!

KAREL

Thursday, February 19, 2009 7:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PhyreLight:
Yeah, that tends to happen when you know people who know someone famous: you learn intimate details about them.

That was my friends's weight, not Summer's weight! I can see the disconnect.

You got what I was saying, thankfully.

Yes, Wash did stick it to Jayne with the "90 pound" statement!

I am glad to hear that your mom is getting better.

"Whatever is wrong with you is so right for me." -- Marillion.

PHYRELIGHT

Thursday, February 19, 2009 7:50 PM

Oops! I see my error now. Please don't mind me, I need a new brain. College killed quite a few braincells! (And, I wasn't using any drugs or alcohol. That was all from studying!)