bluestocking:

(also from French ‘bas bleu‘; plural: ‘bluestockings‘; pronunciation: ‘blue…stocking’)

a bluestocking (as a compliment in appreciation), Gail Timble, University Champion, Oxford

 

a woman who is highly educated;

an intellectual woman;

a woman with great interest in literature;

a woman scholar,

e.g.

They say our new Maths teacher is a sort of bluestocking.

It is quite unfortunate that bluestocking, once a compliment to an educated person, has changed to an insult as the time passed.

‘Bluestocking’, originated from the blue stockings (socks) the highly educated people wore in 18th century, and now occasionally used but in a negative connotation (i.e. in negative sense).
For an informative article on bluestocking, please click here.

About the Author:BC Kumar

BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.

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