What in the world is a "gentlewoman". Does that word exist outside of congress?

Question

GENTLE LADY !!..... I thought you were either a lady or a gentleman. What a crock of Washington wackiness.

Answer 1

Larry Craig is one.

I saw it in a movie one-time but it was "gentleladies"

Answer 2

It comes from the tradition in British parliament - from which our government is derived - of one member addressing the other as "gentleman".  When we had women legislators they were "gentlewomen".  It is tradition, and viewed as a way of keeping an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility in the legislature - which obviously has gone right over the heads of many there.

The word itself was in common use in English-speaking societies in some circles up until probably the mid-20th century.  A "gentleman" has meant a man who didn't have to work for a living - he had inherited his income.  A "gentlewoman" was a female member of that class.  It implied that a person had a certain finesse - superior education, manners, etc.

Answer 3

No it dose not exist out side of congress. guess they had to come up with something to call the likes of Nancy Pelosi.They are not allowed to call her what she really is. even in congress.

Answer 4

Just another politically correct term devised by hand-wringing liberals who live in fear of offending anyone...except Republicans that is.

Answer 5

Its the updated version of "goodwife" or "goodie."  Just meaningless pomp and circumstance.

Answer 6

The term Gentleman was used as a definition about a man being higher than a barbarian.

So I suppose a Gentlewoman is not now a Barbarian, which unfortunately implies that every woman in the USA not in Congress IS a Barbarian.

That is the problem with un-thought out PC concocted words.

Answer 7

WTF?  Well according to the internet it is a term used to describe a woman of noble birth.  Hmmm, not sure that any woman in Congress is "noble" anything!  

It also means a woman with high standards. . . ha ha when has any Congress person ever had high standards.

Why does Congress take the time to make up these stupid names, I am sure there was a week long session and debate about what to call the women of Congress, and many heated discussions and arguments, that wasted tax payers dollars. . . but why not call them what they are - all of Congress - LIARS, hypocrites, greedy,