hoydenism
Definition
Noun: 1. Behavior considered boisterous, tomboyish, or unfeminine: The quality or state of being a hoyden; conduct, especially in a girl or young woman, that is characterized by high spirits, roughness, or a lack of conventional feminine manners.
Usage
The word "hoydenism" is a formal and somewhat archaic noun used to label or describe behavior perceived as masculine or unladylike in females, particularly in younger women and girls. It carries a critical or disapproving tone, reflecting outdated gender norms. It is rarely used in modern, everyday English.
Examples
- The strict headmistress frowned upon any display of hoydenism among her students, expecting them to be quiet and demure.
- In the 19th-century novel, the protagonist's love of climbing trees and getting into scrapes was seen as pure hoydenism by her traditional family.
- His criticism of her hoydenism revealed more about his own rigid views on gender than about her character.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often found in historical or literary contexts to critique characters or social attitudes from the past.
- It can be used ironically or self-consciously in modern writing to evoke a specific historical period or tone.
Variants and Related Words
- Hoyden (n): A girl or woman who behaves in a boisterous, tomboyish way.
- She was often called a hoyden for preferring muddy fields to drawing rooms.
- Tomboy (n): A more common and less archaic term for a girl who enjoys activities traditionally associated with boys. (Note: "Tomboy" is generally more neutral than "hoyden," which often implies criticism.)
- Hoydenish (adj): Having the qualities of a hoyden.
- Her hoydenish laughter echoed through the formal hall.
Synonyms
- Tomboyishness
- Unladylike behavior (idiomatic)
- Boisterousness (in this specific context)
Antonyms
- Femininity
- Demureness
- Ladylike behavior
Noun
-
masculinity in women (especially in girls and young women)
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