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Hockey Player Pavel Bure coined the term ‘cougar’ when he was playing for the Canucks in Vancouver, BC Canada. He used it to decribe the older women who would hit on the hockey players at the local bars. There are lots of definitions of the word out there and varying age thresholds (from 30 to 40). Basically, the term ‘cougar’ is used to describe a mature woman who is out on the prowl for younger men. In some definitions, she needs to be a particular age; in others she needs to be divorced and rich. Some descriptions paint cougars as desperate, old barflies who are easy to pick up; others paint them as attractive, experienced hunters who quickly go for the kill when they detect ‘fresh meat’.

What I find annoying is often all women over 35 who are enjoying a drink at a bar with a girl friend are labeled ‘cougars’ when this is just not true. Many of us are happily married, in relationships, or single by choice.

As a musician in a local band, I tend to find myself out late at night and so here are some tips about how you can avoid being called a cougar if you aren’t one:

5 Things to Avoid If You Don’t Want to be called a Cougar

1. Cat Images

All cat images evoke the cougar. You could be wearing a panther pin on your sweater or have a kitty cat on your purse, either way people will make the jump to cougar if you are even close to cougar age and if you are spotted in a potential cougar hunting ground.

Here is all the cougar you need and it comes in its very own jewelry box! Earrings, a pin, and a necklace – cougarrific!

2. Animal Print

The road to cougardom is paved with leopard print. Actually, any animal print falls in to this category. Beware of zebra and the dreaded cow prints – you’d think these would because they are not cat-related but I’m sorry to say they are not. While we’re on the subject of animalia: think twice about wearing leather pants (particularly if they come with a matching jacket), feathers, or fake fur.

3. Fancy Drinks

If you’re in a fancy cocktail bar or restaurant then this doesn’t apply – but you’re not likely to be called a cougar if you are surrounded by other people your own age, are you?

If you find yourself in a much younger crowd, drink what everyone else is drinking unless you want to annoy the bartender or just stand out. Nothing says ‘newly divorced on a boyhunt’ than the liquid courage of a margarita, glass of white wine, or martini in a standing room only sports bar full of college boys playing foozball and drinking pitchers of beer.

Of course, when I say this I’m not implying that you should enter any chugging contests or beer pong tournaments, either. Unless you want to, of course…

4. Cleavage

If your ladies are pushed up to the point that your chin hits them when you talk, you might want to accept the fact that they are not anyone’s secret any more, let alone Victoria’s!

5. Big, Clunky Jewelry

Leave your diamonds at home, especially if you bought them from the Home Shopping Channel. Another good tip: if you can imagine Peggy Bundy putting it on, it’s probably wise to take it off! Actually that applies to all accessories and clothing…

Of course, there are actually cougars out there – and there’s nothing wrong with that, either; but…

Cougars be proud!

Take over the term and wear it as a badge of honor so that it can’t be used as an insult anymore! You can use the list above to pump up the volume on your cougar mating call.

Wear Whatever You Want

And, if you’re not a cougar but the above list describes you perfectly? You can just let everyone think you’re on the prowl and let them wonder why you never make a move. Let the boys who like to use the term as an insult go home with some insecurities for a change…

PS: I regularly break every rule above (except the leather pants rule) and I’ve been called a cougar twice (to my face).

What about you?

Do you consider yourself a cougar? Do you think of the term as an insult or a compliment? Have you ever been called a cougar? Did I miss anything off the list? Let me know!