Battle-axe (woman)
A battle-axe is a derogatory traditional stereotype describing a woman characterized as aggressive, overbearing and forceful. The term originated as a gender-independent descriptor in the early 20th century, but became primarily applied to women around the middle of the century. The prime example was the militant temperance activist Carrie Nation, who actually wielded a hatchet and made it her symbol, living in Hatchet Hall and publishing a magazine called The Hatchet. She became involved in the suffragette campaign for votes for women and this campaign further established the archetype. The battleaxe is one of several stereotypes found in nursing – a tyrannical, fierce matron exemplified by Nurse Ratched or Hattie Jacques in popular medical dramas and comedies. Judith Furse played a "battle-axe woman" in the film Carry On Cabby. See also
 Fishwife
 Jeanne Hachette
 Termagant
 Virago
 Karen (slang)

References

Further reading
 

Female stock characters
Pejorative terms for women
Stereotypes of women