Coburn, UKIP's only elected politician in Scotland, who is renowned for an endless string of outspoken remarks, made the comments during a debate about Scotland's future in Europe at the Scottish parliament.
The MEP took exception to being criticised for only referring to "businessmen" and not "businesswomen", and defended himself by saying all people are part of mankind and that he had "many women business friends".
"As far as I'm concerned, mankind – we don't discuss womankind – mankind is a genus, and women is a special sort of a man," said Coburn. "I was taught English at Glasgow High School and, quite frankly, I don't do political correctness, but I have many women business friends.
"I've met many times [underwear tycoon] Michelle Mone...a perfectly fabulous example of a Scottish business person, whatever you want to call it, but I think all of this pathetic, childish, sort of schoolboy nonsense is a bit above you."
On hearing that Coburn believes women are "a special sort of a man," the chair of the meeting, Christina McKelvie MSP, said: "We're more likely to say humankind."
Coburn has previously described Ed Miliband as "a wanker", said he was afraid Syrian refugees might stone him to death because he's gay, and compared SNP minister Humza Yousaf to convicted terrorist Abu Hamza.