Woman of the streets
Meaning
A "woman of the streets" is a euphemistic term for a female prostitute.
Origin
In the bustling cities of the 19th century, as urban populations swelled, the presence of sex workers became a visible, if often unspoken, element of street life. Society, grappling with the moral complexities of the age, sought polite euphemisms to refer to those who plied their trade publicly. The straightforward phrase "woman of the streets" emerged as a stark yet veiled descriptor, directly referencing their workspace without using the more blunt and often scandalous term "prostitute," allowing for discussions that acknowledged this pervasive social reality while maintaining a veneer of decorum.
Examples
- The detective's investigation led him to speak with a woman of the streets who might have witnessed the crime.
- In the historical novel, the main character encountered a woman of the streets offering her services near the docks.