bluestocking

American  

[bloo-stok-ing] / ˈbluˌstɒk ɪŋ /

noun

1. a woman with considerable scholarly, literary, or intellectual ability or interest.

2. a member of a mid-18th-century London literary circle.

   Lady Montagu was a celebrated bluestocking.

---

bluestocking British  

/ ˈbluːˌstɒkɪŋ /

noun

1. derogatory a scholarly or intellectual woman

---

Other Word Forms

• bluestockingism noun

Etymology

Origin of bluestocking

1675–85; so called from the informal attire, especially blue woolen instead of black silk stockings, worn by some women of the group bluestocking ( def. 2 )

Explanation

An intellectual, well-read woman was once known as a bluestocking. You can describe your scholarly sister, who's knowledgeable about many subjects, as a bluestocking — no matter what color her socks are. The term bluestocking was first used in the 18th century to refer to a group of English women who decided they'd rather have intellectual conversations with educated guests than sit around playing cards and chatting. Because at least one of their guests wore inexpensive, blue worsted stockings, people who disapproved started calling these ladies bluestockings. They quickly reclaimed the term, happily calling their group "The Blue Stockings Society."

Example Sentences

Although she’s not given much to do, the astringent Anne Gee Byrd lends Marya, Vanya’s bluestocking mother, a feisty, antagonistic presence.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2022

Among such friends were the bluestocking Elizabeth Carter and the novelist Fanny Burney.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2019

Skeeter is a bluestocking, having developed liberal notions and journalistic aspirations at college that put her at odds with her old friends Hilly and Elizabeth.

From Time • Aug. 10, 2011

Oh, this sort of strange deference to her father, a bluestocking intellectual who is very repressed and clearly emotionally tortured.

From The Guardian • Jun. 11, 2010

My grandfather, Sam’l Hamilton, loved good writing, and he knew it too, and he had some bluestocking daughters, among them my mother.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck