French maid

English

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /fɹɛnt͡ʃ meɪd/

Noun

French maid (plural French maids)

  1. A lady's maidservant of French origin, formerly considered a status symbol among wealthy households; now usually with reference to the titillating costume associated with them.
    • 1606, Thomas Heywood, Second Part of, If you knowe not me you know no bodie, London: Nathaniell Butter, page 51:
      Lacke turn'd to M.Iohn, mary fit reuerence,
      The french maid taught me manners : well I hope
      VVe ſhall haue a fight of the Gentleman.
    • 1798, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, translated by C.L., Clavidgo, a tragedy, in five acts, translated from the German of Goethe, London: J. Johnson, page 10:
      If that is the mode in France, why ſhould it not be ſo in Spain too? Wherefore ſhall not a French maid in Spain be ſtill French?
    • 1962, Olivia de Havilland, Every Frenchman has one, New York: Random House, page 151:
      Just as I once did, you have probably been cherishing for years the tender illusion that 75 per cent of the population of the land of the fleur de lys is made up of pert but immaculate French maids just longing to run your home for you in a manner of brisk perfection, with a gleaming smile and an adorable accent, garbed in a smart black uniform set off by spotless white cuffs, collar and apron. That French maid, dear friends, whom you first encountered in a Philip Barry play or a Noel Coward musical comedy, existed at that moment of discovery only in the mind of the playwright.

Translations

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