And they talk about gender equality...

Have you wondered how the word "patronizing" came about? It comes from the root word patron, and in the verb form it is to patronize. Patron refers to the masculine head of the family, namely, the father. And undeniably that's usually what dads do best isn't it? They patronize.

On the other hand, the female counterpart to patron is the matron, or the mother. The most common suffix to this word is -ly, making "matronly". (We don't have a "matronizing" person.) Now here's a serious thought. If you describe a woman as "matronly", you get the impression of a warm and kind person -- a mother and a leader at the same time. In fact, it's a delightful compliment... to a woman, that is.

However, if you say someone is patronizing, it brings a negative connotation -- very different from its female counterpart altogether. Now I just find it weird that the father, the patron forms the word "patronizing" which drags along with it huge feelings of disgust and aversion; whereas the mother, the matron forms the word "matronly" which radiates such warmth by the sound of the word that it ranks among one of the highest forms of compliments.

Ah, have these two words been so deeply entrenched in our society that we fail to realize the distinct roots which form them?

pa·tron·ize /ˈpeɪtrəˌnaɪz, ˈpæ‑/ v. to behave in an offensively condescending manner toward [someone]

ma·tron (mā'trən) n. A married woman or a widow, especially a mother of dignity, mature age, and established social position.

Source: dictionary.com