History
of Words (Language and Gender)
Spinster:
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The earliest
record of the word being used in a written text was in 1362. ‘Langland Piers Plowman A. v. 130 And my wyf at Westmunstre þat
wollene cloþ made, Spak to þe spinsters for
to spinne hit softe.’
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It’s a Dutch
word.
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It has changed
meaning over time – for example the earliest definition of the word is: ‘A woman (or, rarely, a man) who spins, esp. one who practises spinning as
a regular occupation.’ In comparison, the most recent definition of the word
is: ‘A woman still unmarried; esp. one beyond the usual age for
marriage, an old maid.’
-
The primary
meaning has altered slightly; in 1380 the definition was ‘Appended to names of women, originally in order to denote their
occupation, but subsequently (from the 17th century) as the proper legal
designation of one still unmarried.’ In 1719, it was altered to just
simply: ‘A woman still unmarried; esp. one beyond the usual age for
marriage, an old maid.’ The focus is on relationship status and not occupation,
showing a semantic shift.
-
The spelling
hasn’t changed and it’s consistently been used as a noun.
Bachelor:
-
The earliest
record of the word being used in a written text was in 1297. ‘ R.
Gloucester's Chron. 453
Syre ȝong bacheler..þow art strong &
corageus.’
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The word
originates from Italy.
-
It has changed
meaning over time – for example the earliest definition of the word is: ‘A young
knight, not old enough, or having too few vassals, to display his own banner,
and who therefore followed the banner of another; a novice in arms. [On this
sense was founded the conjectural etymology of bas
chevalier.]’ This is in contrast to the most recent definition, whereby it relates
to accommodation where a bachelor would
stay, (a bachelor being a single man.)
-
The primary meaning has been extended upon; in 1386, the meaning was: ‘An
unmarried man (of marriageable age).’ In
1604, the definition expands to: ‘An
inexperienced person, a novice’. This suggests that because the man isn’t
married, therefore he is inexperienced in that aspect of life.
-
There have been
several different spellings of the word, ranging from batcheler to bachilers.
It’s used as a noun.
Slut:
-
The earliest
record of the word being used in a written text was in 1402. ‘ T.
Hoccleve Let. of
Cupid 237 The foulest slutte of al a tovne.’
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The word
originates from Germany (it is thought.)
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It has changed meaning
over time – for example the earliest definition is: ‘A woman of dirty, slovenly, or untidy habits or appearance; a foul
slattern.’ This is in contrast to the most modern definition: ‘The guttering of a candle.’
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The primary
meaning has been extended upon, take the earliest definition of the word ‘slut’
- in 1450 it expanded to: ‘A woman of a
low or loose character; a bold or impudent girl; a hussy, jade.’ This has
further reference to the female being sexually promiscuous.
-
Slut in the past
has been spelt as ‘slutte.’ The word is most commonly used as a noun.
Stud
-
The earliest
record of the word being used in a written text was in 1000. ‘in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker
Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 119/39 Equartium, stood.’
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The word
originates from Old English.
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Its meaning has
changed over time, the earliest definition being: ‘An establishment in which stallions and mares are kept for breeding.
Also, the stallions and mares kept in such an establishment.’ This is in
comparison to the most recent definition which is: ‘A man of (reputedly) great sexual potency or accomplishments; a
womanizer, a habitual seducer of women. In weakened uses: as a familiar term of
address among men; a boy-friend or escort.’
-
The primary
meaning (which typically is the most recent definition) has been extended to: ‘Hence (without explicit sexual
significance): a man, a fellow, esp. one who is well-informed; a youth. U.S.
slang (chiefly African-American)’. This shows that it is used more as slang
than as an actual taboo term.
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Another example
of a spelling of stud is ‘stode’. It is a noun.
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