For what it's worth, Partridge (in full) says :
[1] "The wives and families of naval officers spending the season at Malta",
naval: from ca.1890.
And in his supplement he adds:
2. Hence, "women who frequent the Ladies' Lounge at the Union Club, Malta "
(Granville): Naval: since ca.1920. On the look-out for eligible Navy men.
Granville = Wilfred Granville, A dictionary of naval slang, typescript'
1945.
I'm not sure what, if anything, one can deduce from this; but perhaps it is
likely that the wider meaning arose later than the naval one.
Bonne chance George
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in his 1961 supplement goes on to say: (2) Hence
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Lycett" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 6:49 PM
Subject: fishing fleet
Can someone please help me? I am reviewing a new book about the 'Fishing
Fleet' - sub-titled 'Husband-Hunting in the Raj'.
My query is when did this term come into use? I have an inkling that it was
only really after the First World War - and that any use before that is
anachronistic. Does anyone know of an earlier use?
Partridge apparently (I have been told second hand ) seems to agree with me,
saying it was used by the Navy in Malta c.1890 and was only found in India
in the 20th century.
Andrew Lycett
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