The Sophisticated Lady

A brief consideration of the word sophisticated

The prostitute that "good" men hated,
Was termed by Victorians "Sophisticated"
Because she was not quite what she seemed,
But made with make-up until she "gleamed".

So, we read in Victorian books and prose
(For those that read, and those that knows)
The word is defined, but known by few
As a word that means both false and untrue.

Nowadays in re-al-ity,
It describes a thing of complexity.
It suggests it's good, and not to be hated,
This "modern" word sophisticated!

Author's Note

true or false?

Reviews

[icelandicblue]

Ha! What do you know. I just found out that the goosey goosey gander nursery rhyme was actually about prostitutes from medieval times. "Goosey" is referencing an old slang term "goose" which was a nice but roundabout way of saying "voluptuous lady of the night" which in turn is a euphemism for " hooker." In fact, the term "goose bumps" was originally slang for the red bumps caused by venereal diseases. I guess we now understand the term loosey goosey. Great poem about the reinvention of words.

[Daffy]

This is terrific, I love to know these things, it is soooo interesting! Well done on this one.....now for 'Ride a c**k horse' and 'Little miss Muffet'...seriously though, 'Ring-o-Ring a roses, was sad. That one was about the plague or some such disease in medieval times. Thanks for this, and taking the time to write. Much appreciated.

[Michael G. Smith]

And now I've become more... educated. A nice little diddy.

[Tena Luvs]

great right, I never knew. This was put together well

[Samuel Dickens]

How interesting! Now I've learned something new, and it came wrapped in your clever words. Excellent work.

[Daffy]

Thank you Samuel for your review.

[Baby Ricochet]

It means different things to different people

[Daffy]

Thanks, yes, words can do so. Personally, it seems to be only li'l ole me that remembers this use of the word. I had a very strict and kindly grand mother....make up was taboo.

[Sami Khalil]

We call this in the states the politically correct term or word of the day to use. LIke Gay for happy or cheerful is for Gays and so forth...This was wonderful and enlightening. Ever the thinker ...Bravo

[Daffy]

Thanks for this, Sami. A friend and I were discussing the 'Gay' word today, as my old Uncle (90 years) could not fill in a survey, which was asking him if he was Gay or Straight. What does this mean? ( He knows it as heterosexual or homosexual). Thanks for you kind words, so kind and considerate.

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure...Any time...:)...................

[Tomás Ó C..]

What a way to reintroduce us to a word... did you know SILLY once meant HOLY? Some folk tried to be so holy it was beyond reason... and so attached the modern reason to the word...

[Daffy]

Wow, that is a new one on li'l ole me. Thanks a bunch for the knowledge. Each day brings more, and the more people we know the more we know people....as well as words. I wish I had kept up my French. Only been over 'La Manche' once, and that was this last March. 50 years since I finished my schooling, so forgotten most of my vocab. Thanks for this review.

[Tomás Ó Cárthaigh]

:-D Did you know that the Normans when the came to Ireland spoke a dialect of Norse-French? It gave rise to the dialects of Fingalian (extinct) and Yola (recently extinct) which were akin to the Jerrias and Aldernaise of the Channell Islands?

[Daffy]

This is very interesting. I didn't know anything about these languages. I have just looked at Yola, and will spend more time on that: ZONG OF TWI MAARKEET MOANS, and the http://www.rte.ie/archives. I will also visit your other site soon. Thanks, Daffy

[Lydia Shutter]

A little powder and a little paint makes a woman what she aint...and apparently also makes her sophisticated in the Victorian culture! :) Words have convoluted connotations and through the years those connotations often change. Think about the word “gay” and what it used to mean as opposed to what it means today. Quite a difference! Your words are witty and clever and rhymed so rhythmically. I enjoyed this. Lydi**

[Daffy]

Gay, is a good example, Lydi. Thanks very much for the review.

[Vidya Bacchus]

You truly have a way with words my dear lady and I absolutely love how you have such a great command of the english language.A truly splendid poem:)

[Daffy]

Just read your review of my poem, (my son just popped in with his 'troubles', so I was distracted for a while). What a lovely thing to say about my writing. Thank you.

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome my dear friend.Well we love them so we will have to listen to their problems:)