Josephine:
OED has SLUT as of uncertain origin. It seems to begin appearing at the
beginning of the 15thC, and OED gives three distinct senses from this time
(I'll skip the quotes, but backchannel me if you want the whole entry):
1. a. A woman of dirty, slovenly, or untidy habits or appearance; a foul
slattern.
b. A kitchen-maid; a drudge. rare.
2. a. A woman of a low or loose character; a bold or impudent girl; a hussy,
jade.
SLATTERN seems to be much later -- the earliest OED cite is 1639
A. n. A woman or girl untidy and slovenly in person, habits, or
surroundings; a slut. (See also quot. 1639.)
The words seem to have developed independently. OED has SLATTERN ultimately
coming from: SLAT (v)
(sl&t) [prob. ad. OF. esclater to break in pieces: cf. slat n.1]
intr. and trans. To split.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Robin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Printmaker" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 12:00 AM
Subject: definitions
> Robyn
>
> Can you help me with the history of the words slut and
> slattern?
>
> My understanding is that a slut/slattern was a domestic
> servant, and the term came to mean unclean and sexually
> immoral later. This may have been because the servants
> weren't given the opportunity to be clean and were required
> to be sexually available. Can you clarify?
>
> Josephine
>
> PS
> I'm unwell and lurking as a result...
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