Editor's Corner

Wow. The other day I sent out a topic called Nick, based on an email I received from my friend Ron. I received so many unexpected responses from readers. From questions and comments about nicknames, to questions about the term “dame”—I can never predict what’s going to excite y’all.

One of my favorite comments, which will eventually be another topic, was this: “Be thankful he didn’t use the term ‘broad,’ which I think is a step down from dame.” There is so much there to discuss:

• Why didn’t you talk about nicknames? [KC – I got sidetracked.]
• Have you ever talked about nicknames like “Peggy” for the name “Margaret”? [KC – I’m not sure, but I have a bunch of new resources to look at. Thank you!]
• Where did the term broad come from? [KC – Another new topic.]
• What is a dame? [KC – Today’s topic.]
• Why is the term dame considered less than complementary in America, yet in Britain it is the female equivalent of a knight? [KC – Today’s topic.]
• What’s up with broad, dame, and other terms for women? [KC – I may have to leave this for Women’s Studies classes, which probably aren’t called that anymore.]

Let’s start with the etymology of the word dame. From the Online Etymology Dictionary:

dame(n.)

c. 1200, "a mother," also "a woman of rank or high social position; superior of a convent," and an address for a woman of rank or position, used respectfully to other ladies, from Old French dame "lady, mistress, wife," [KC – Think madam, mademoiselle] from Late Latin domna, from Latin domina "lady, mistress of the house," from Latin domus "house". [KC – AI says, “from the Latin root also comes madam,
madonna, and damsel.]

From early 14c. as "a woman" in general, particularly a mature or married woman or the mistress of a household. In later use the legal title for the wife of a knight or baronet.

Slang sense of "woman" in the broadest sense, without regard to rank or anything else, is attested by 1902 in U.S. English.

So, what is the difference in American and British definitions of dame? Well, in Britain, dame is still an honorable title. For example, Dame Judy Dench, Dame July Andrews, and Dame Helen Mirren have all been bestowed this title. As mentioned, it is the female equivalent of the title Sir, used by knights.

America was founded in reaction to kings and queens, and so we didn’t carry over the list of honorifics that they still use in England. I found bits and pieces about the “turn” of the word dame from positive to negative. Here’s part of an article from Does Dame mean girl? – Resto NYC:

As “dame” picked up negative connotations, it also increasingly became a slang or casual word for “woman” or “girl” in 20th century vernacular English.

In the 1800s through the 1920s, it was sometimes used as vulgar or lower-class slang by being paired with profanity, as in phrases like “son of a dame.” Here it indicated a woman of loose morals or low breeding.

But over the course of the 1900s, “dame” shifted from a reproachful slur to a more playful, informal word when referring to women. It gained popularity in pulp fiction, hard-boiled detective stories, film noir movies, and other genres aiming for edgy, urban flair. Writers used it to give a casual, street-smart tone, the way someone might use “chick,” “skirt,” or “broad” in conversation. [KC – And in the way that someone using “chick,” “skirt,” or “broad” in conversation today might get a boot to the head for being sexist.]

I saw a few other bits and pieces of information saying that during WWII, Americans might have picked it up from their British brothers. Whether the use coincides with the soldiers returning home and expecting all of the “Rosie the Riveters” to return home and be housewives, I don’t know. It’s interesting that the “reproachful slurs” for women were boosted as they became more independent.

But I digress. That’s your history of dame, as far as I can trace it.

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Knowledge Enablement

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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