shopgirl
Words nearby shopgirl
ABOUT THIS WORD
What does shopgirl mean?
Shopgirl was once commonly used as a word for a girl or woman whose job is to sell products or help customers in a retail shop.
The term is often considered outdated and demeaning due to the use of the word girl when such workers are often women. The same is the case for the synonym salesgirl.
The terms salesclerk, salesperson, and sales rep (or sales representative) can be used to mean the same thing without specifying gender.
Where does shopgirl come from?
The first records of the word shopgirl come from the mid-1700s. The ending -girl is also used in salesgirl, as well as in common words like schoolgirl and cowgirl, but schoolgirl always refers to girls, as opposed to women, and cowgirl is modeled after the word cowboy.
While in some cases the people referred to as shopgirls may be teenagers, the term has traditionally been applied regardless of age. Shopgirl is especially associated with women who work at retail sales counters, such as those in department stores or in smaller shops.
Did you know ... ?
What are some synonyms for shopgirl?
What are some words that share a root or word element with shopgirl?
What are some words that often get used in discussing shopgirl?
How is shopgirl used in real life?
Shopgirl is often considered demeaning and is used less commonly than it used to be.