• (UK, US)IPA^(key): /fɹɛnt͡ʃ meɪd/

Frenchmaid (pluralFrench maids)

1. A lady's maidservant of French origin, formerly considered a status symbol among wealthy households; now usually with reference to thetitillating costume associated with them.
   • 1606, Thomas Heywood,Second Part of, If you knowe not me you know no bodie, London: Nathaniell Butter,page51:

     Lacke turn'd to M.Iohn, mary fit reuerence,
     Thefrench maid taught me manners : well I hope
     VVe ſhall haue a fight of the Gentleman.

   • 1798, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, translated by C.L.,Clavidgo, a tragedy, in five acts, translated from the German of Goethe, London: J. Johnson,page10:

     If that is the mode in France, why ſhould it not be ſo in Spain too? Wherefore ſhall not aFrench maid in Spain be ſtill French?

   • 1962, Olivia de Havilland,Every Frenchman has one, New York: Random House, page151:

     Just as I once did, you have probably been cherishing for years the tender illusion that 75 per cent of the population of the land of the fleur de lys is made up of pert but immaculateFrench maids just longing to run your home for you in a manner of brisk perfection, with a gleaming smile and an adorable accent, garbed in a smart black uniform set off by spotless white cuffs, collar and apron. ThatFrench maid, dear friends, whom you first encountered in a Philip Barry play or a Noel Coward musical comedy, existed at that moment of discovery only in the mind of the playwright.

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