HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT "SKINNY"?

I have had people call me "skinny" and I don't like it because I am not "skinny." I have large hips and legs. I know they mean it as a compliment but when I think of "skinny" I think of underweight models. Skinny can be beautiful as long as the person is healthy but I know I could not get there in a healthy way. I would much rather be called fit or even thin. Thin doesn't seem to have as many negative connotations.

I prefer the word "tiny" to "skinny". The term skinny-fat and the idea of skinny models make the term skinny seem unhealthy to me. However, I want to be tiny! Growing up I was always bigger than EVERYONE. Sooooo. Tiny sounds awesome

I'm 5'11"

I could never be 'tiny'. I'm just as likely to grow a unicorn horn.

Skinny is an ugly word, and here gets used either by the overweight to belittle those who are slim, or to mean underweight. I don't like "fit" either, because it implies fit for some sort of purpose - and if we're meaning someone who exercises, well, not all slim people do, so not all slim folks also look physically fit.
Thick I'd not use because in the UK that means stupid or unintelligent - and because I work in health, and have to address weight issues with people, I will use overweight or obese in a clinical setting - they are then technical terms with a clinical meaning. Otherwise I'll use curvy.

i take 'skinny' as a compliment.

Skinny is just a word. Sometimes people say to me things like "Look at you, you are skinny again" (said 7 months after I gave birth to my second baby). Or "That outfit looks so good on you because you are skinny" (when talking with another dancer about finding clothing to wear as the costume in performance). They meant it as a compliment. They meant, slender, fit, attractive, healthy, nice curves/small waist (usually it is my waist they are talking about).

Usually people don't call me skinny. But, when they do, I know they mean it as a compliment and do not have all of the negative connotation behind it that it has on mfp or in the fitness world. So, I accept it as they meant it, as a compliment. I'm not going to be an annoying, butthurt B, and not take a compliment or give them a lecture on the word. It is a word and it does not carry the weight that people on mfp think it does, honestly. I'm clearly not anywhere close to being overweight. And I am slender and fit. I also have a small frame.

But, it's not a word that I identify with or use to describe myself. And it's not a word I would use to describe someone else (unless it was part of the context of a conversation already in progress). I would dislike a person if they were saying it to me to insult my health, fitness or attractiveness. Just because I know that I am fit and healthy. But, I know most people are not thinking that way when they use the word. So, I don't make a big deal out of it. That doesn't mean I am pro-ana, or that I don't know about the negative connotation that has become associated with it or that I want to look unhealthy or unattractive. If you think about it, saying that skinny is universally an insult is body shaming. Now, skinny fat is something I would always consider an insult if someone called me that (because I'm not). No one has ever called me that. A lot of people have never even heard the term.

I feel the same as you, though I'm not black. To me, "skinny" seems "weak." I want to be fit and healthy, not just skinny. I've always had curves - I'm a pear shape and my but does NOT fit the rest of my body lol - so I don't think I could ever be truly "skinny." When people tell me I'm skinny or thin I just get confused because I know that I'm not! I'm fit, but I really don't think of myself as thin.

I know people mean well though so I try not to complain about it.

People can take any word and say it in a derogatory way. I have had people say "oh you run marathons" in a tone like "oh you bludgeon small animals for recreation" i have had people say "oh you run marathons" like "you must really train a lot and work hard...good for you"

I like how some people say skinny and I hate how other people say skinny.

If the person is insulting you... then it's an insulting word.
If they are complimenting you... then it's a complimentary one.

Instead of flagellating people for the words they use, look at the heart in which they are delivering their message.

If they are insulting you for getting in shape, shake your head and move on with pride that you are bettering yourself.
If they are congratulating you, even if it is in a ham handed way, then thank them and be proud of what you've done.

People call me skinny, slender, tiny...any other word to describe it. And those same people call me strong (both physically and emotionally/mentally). I just think it's a bit much to associate one word with so much negativity.

Someone told me that I was too skinny so I started weight training like an animal. the result is the same person said that I look good. I don't know why I sought her approval, I don know the the word Skinny alone does not have negative connotations until you precede it with the word "too". My $0.02