This is from Wikipedia so take it for what it may be worth:
Demimonde was a polite 19th century term that was often used the same way we
use the term "mistress" today. In the 19th century it primarily referred to
a class of women on the fringes of respectable society supported by wealthy
lovers (usually each had several). The term is also used to refer to these
women as a group, and the social circles they moved in. As a group, the
demimonde did not form a 'society' any more than modern prostitutes form a
society. But they did represent a social class of women in the latter half
of the 19th century and into the early 20th century who were commonplace
fixtures in the upper class of French, English and, to some extent, American
society. In the United States and Britain, they were (and still are) also
often referred to as courtesans, though that term in the 19th century
applied to a profession (as the term "prostitute" describes a profession),
whereas Demimonde/Demimondaine was used to describe a broader social class.
The term is French, and means literally "half-world", implying those women
existed on the fringes of the "real world."
-----Original Message-----
From: Research and writing about Virginia genealogy and family history.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ted Delaney
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 4:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Demimonde / Demi Monde
Does anyone know of another contemporary meaning of this word other than
"courtesan" or "mistress"?
I've found three women in the 1900 census in Campbell County whose
occupation is clearly "Demimonde" or "Demi Monde." The three women were all
single, white, and ranging in age from 25 to 32. Two lived alone; one lived
with her father. I wonder if the census taker was really trying to connote
an occupation more "respectable" than "prostitute," or if he was just being
polite.
Ted
**********************************
Ted Delaney
Archivist & Curator
Old City Cemetery Museums & Arboretum
Lynchburg, Virginia
(434) 847-1465
[log in to unmask]
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
|
