hussy

Where does the word "hussy" come from? It comes from Middle English hūswīf, and was adopted directly into English (1650s).

Hussy’s story begins in Middle English: hūswīf meant “housewife.” 'housewife', the mistress of a household. It reached English by 1650s as hussy. The worn-down form 'huswif, hussy' split off from 'housewife' and sank to mean an impudent or immoral woman. Today, hussy means an impudent or immoral girl or woman.

1. Stage 1 · Middle English · 1200s hūswīf "housewife", 'housewife', the mistress of a household.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1650s hussy "impudent woman", the worn-down form 'huswif, hussy' split off from 'housewife' and sank to mean an impudent or immoral woman.