working girl

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money: This is a dated and often euphemistic term for a prostitute.
    • A young woman who is employed: This is a neutral, though somewhat dated, term for a woman who works, especially in a non-domestic job.
Usage Examples

  • Noun (Prostitute):

    • The novel's protagonist was a working girl trying to survive in the city.
    • The term "working girl" was often used as a euphemism in older films.

  • Noun (Employed woman):

    • As a working girl, she balanced her career and personal life.
    • The magazine offered advice for the modern working girl.
Advanced Usage
  • The meaning is highly dependent on context. In contemporary usage, the term for a prostitute is considered archaic and potentially offensive, while the term for an employed woman is dated but neutral.
  • The phrase often carries connotations about the type of work (e.g., clerical, secretarial) or the woman's independence when used in the "employed" sense.
Variants and Related Words
  • Workwoman (n): A female worker, especially in a manual trade. (Neutral, but rare).
  • Working woman (n): A more modern and common phrase for an employed woman, less likely to be misinterpreted.
Synonyms
  • For "prostitute": sex worker, prostitute, courtesan (historical).
  • For "employed woman": career woman, employed woman, professional woman.
Related Phrases
  • Nine-to-five girl: A woman who works standard office hours. (Informal, dated).
  • Career girl: A woman focused on her professional advancement. (Somewhat dated).
Notes on Usage
  • CRITICAL: Due to its dual and very different meanings, this term requires careful contextual use. In modern English, it is often avoided to prevent misunderstanding.
  • The "employed woman" sense was more common in mid-20th-century language (e.g., in advertising, magazines). Today, "working woman" or specific job titles are preferred for clarity.
  • The "prostitute" sense is a euphemism and its use can be seen as trivializing or demeaning.
Noun
  1. a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money
  2. a young woman who is employed