bluestocking

B

bluestocking (idiom)
/bluːˌstɑː.kɪŋ/

Meaning

• a smart, educated woman who focuses on her studies, which some men do not like.
• a woman with strong scholarly or literary interests.
• a woman with intellectual or literary achievements.
• a woman who is highly educated or interested in academic pursuits.
• a woman who enjoys studying and has an intellectual lifestyle.
• a woman who is part of a group or movement promoting women’s education and intellectualism.

Example Sentences

1. She was often called a bluestocking because of her love for reading and discussing philosophy.
2. The book club was full of bluestockings who debated every chapter intensely.
3. As a bluestocking, she spent most of her evenings attending lectures and studying.
4. Despite the social norms of her time, she proudly embraced her identity as a bluestocking.
5. The university’s history department was led by a renowned blue-stocking known for her groundbreaking research.

Origin and History

The term “bluestocking” has a rich history dating back to the mid-18th century and is intertwined with the intellectual and social dynamics of that era. Here is a comprehensive exploration of its origins, including various theories and historical contexts.

The Blue Stockings Society

The most well-known origin of the term traces back to the Blue Stockings Society, a literary group founded in the 1750s in England by Elizabeth Montagu, Elizabeth Vesey, and other prominent women. The society aimed to provide an intellectual alternative to the typical social gatherings of the time, which often involved card games and gossip. Instead, members of the Blue Stockings Society engaged in discussions on literature, the arts, and various scholarly subjects. These gatherings were inclusive of both men and women who shared intellectual interests.

Benjamin Stillingfleet and His Blue Stockings

One popular anecdote associated with the term involves Benjamin Stillingfleet, a notable botanist and a friend of the society’s founders. Stillingfleet was invited to one of the society’s meetings but could not afford the formal black silk stockings typically worn at such events. Instead, he wore blue worsted stockings. His attire became emblematic of the society’s values, emphasizing intellect over fashion. This story is often credited with the term “bluestocking” becoming associated with the group and, by extension, with learned women.

Evolution and Pejorative Connotations

Initially, the term “bluestocking” was a mark of respect and intellectual achievement. However, by the late 18th century, the term began to acquire derogatory connotations. It was increasingly used to describe women who were perceived as pedantic or overly scholarly, reflecting broader societal discomfort with women stepping into intellectual and public spheres traditionally dominated by men. This shift was partly a backlash against the feminist undertones of the Blue Stockings Society, which challenged gender norms of the period.

Cultural and Historical Impact

The impact of the Bluestocking movement was significant in redefining women’s roles in society. Members of the society, such as Elizabeth Montagu, Catherine Macaulay, and Hannah More, were influential in various fields, from literature to social reform. The term “bluestocking” has persisted through history, evolving in its usage and connotations but always retaining a connection to intellectualism and the challenge of traditional gender roles.

Early Printed Records

The earliest printed record of the term “bluestocking” in its contemporary context dates back to 1790. This period marked the transition of the term from a descriptor of a specific group to a more generalized label for learned women, often used in a pejorative sense by a society resistant to changing gender norms.

Bottom Line

The term “bluestocking” has a layered history that reflects broader social and cultural shifts. From its origins in the literary gatherings of 18th-century England to its evolution into a term of both respect and derision, “bluestocking” encapsulates the complexities of women’s pursuit of intellectual and social equality. The Blue Stockings Society, through its promotion of intellectual discourse and gender inclusivity, left an indelible mark on history, challenging and reshaping the societal norms of its time.

Synonyms: intellectual; scholar; bookworm; erudite; academic.

Colour, Education, Study, Woman