Subject:
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Re: Wench as a word
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.general
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Date:
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Wed, 22 Mar 2000 16:20:23 GMT
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Viewed:
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1333 times
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In lugnet.general, Markus Wolf writes:
> I have a question regarding the use of "wench" in conversation. I always
> have considered it a derrogatory term for females but see it used frequently
> in Lugnet postings, especially Pirate Wench and Forest Wench.
> I know I've heard the term used in Warcraft and old movies but I'd hate to
> use the term in normal conversation if it isn't appropriate. Any comments?
Well, Merriam-Webster defines it as:
1a: a young woman: girl b: a female servant
2: a lewd woman: prostitute
From the etymology I'm guessing that the latter (derogatory) meaning came
later (16th century), because the word originally comes from the Old
English wenchel, or child.
Anyway, the PW and FW don't really fit the first two definitions (although
the DF girl might fit the first, and the Guarded Inn woman could be a
Tavern Wench), and if you think they fit the third I think you need a cold
shower or some time outside, away from the bricks. But the words sound
good together, so that's why they get used around here. Aesthetics over
accuracy.
Er, to get back to the original question, though, I wouldn't call anyone a
wench unless you're *sure* they'd take it the right way.
J
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Message is in Reply To:
 | | Wench as a word
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| I have a question regarding the use of "wench" in conversation. I always have considered it a derrogatory term for females but see it used frequently in Lugnet postings, especially Pirate Wench and Forest Wench. I know I've heard the term used in (...) (25 years ago, 22-Mar-00, to lugnet.general)
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