All terminology can be used to demean or diminish, uplift or embrace. Gawain, unwilling to demean himself in this manner, chooses to follow on horseback. No matter how we may demean ourselves, we find embarrassments everywhere. She would often demean Zack for his attempts. That may be true, but it ought not demean their work. He does not strike at opponents' legs because that would demean his victory. Feminist humor, by contrast, looks outwards at the societal structures that demean women. Michael viewed Toby as his sworn enemy and took every opportunity to demean him. Michael's response is to demean him in front of everybody.