Marked

Marked. Having a marker that distinguishes the subject from the norm, that differentiates it from the default option, that qualifies it.

Language

Sexist language marks the female form of words, whereas male forms usually act as default.

For instance: Hero, heroine. Actor, actress. Steward, stewardess. Prince, princess.

And so on.

The exceptions, areas of activity where the female are unmarked, tend to cover pink ghettos: nursing, prostitution, etc. Male nurses. Male prostitutes.

Marking Characters

Because the male form is also considered the default in physical standards, female characters tend to be marked by varied but often very stereotypical signifiers, which must be easily recogniseable to served their purpose.

Thus, for instance, there are signs showing men and women's restrooms on which the female logos have skirts.

Costumes will emphasise female characters' breasts, or female characters' hair, even in unlikely circumstances.