bluestocking

Meaning

1. (derogatory, usually) A scholarly, literary, or cultured woman.
2. (historical) A member of an 18th-century Blue Stockings Society.
3. (historical) A member of the English parliament of 1653, more commonly called the Barebones Parliament.

Synonyms

bas bleu

authoress

poetess

woman of letters

Translations

bas-bleu

mujer literata

Blaustrumpf

blauwkous

λόγια γυνή

bas bleu

intellettuale

bas bleu

entellektüel kadın

المثقّفة

okumuş kadın

saberuda

setciències

γυναίκα διανοούμενη

Etymology

From the 17th century. Originally in reference to blue stockings worn by men as opposed to more expensive white stockings. First associated with the Barebones Parliament in the 17th century, then with a series of literary salons which admitted female intellectuals in the 18th century; in particular the 18th-century Blue Stockings Society led by Elizabeth Montagu on the Parisian model. The term was not originally derogatory. However, none of the ladies wore blue stockings. The first recorded use of the term is in reference to Benjamin Stillingfleet. He was not rich enough to have the proper formal dress, which included black silk stockings and so he attended in everyday blue worsted stockings.