In the vast lexicon of the English language, where a significant portion of words are borrowed from other languages, “woman” stands out as a rare native term. Its roots can be traced back to Old English, where it was formed by combining wif (woman) and man (person), often spelled as wifman (literally “female person”).
Wif is the precursor to the word “wife.” That original meaning lingers in several contemporary English words, such as “housewife,” “midwife” (originally meaning “woman who is with the mother,” where “mid” is related to the German mit, meaning “with”) and “old wives’ tale” (originally referring to “stories told by old women”). Those terms are linguistic fossils preserving the Old English wif.
The “man” in “woman” originally meant “person,” applicable to both genders, but over time, it narrowed to mean “male person” and broadened to signify “humanity” or “all people.”
Given that Old English already had wif to denote “woman,” why was the seemingly redundant and illogical term wifman coined? Historical texts suggest that wifman originally referred to a “lady’s maid” or “servant.” Over time, wif became “wife,” and wifman turned into “woman.” That historical context imbues the term “woman” with a connotation of “ordinary,” while the “noble” woman is denoted as “lady,” which can be translated as “gentlewoman” or “madam.”
The distinction between “woman” and “lady” has long carried class implications, as evidenced by a sentence from the British literary and scientific journal The Athenaeum: “Defendant pleaded that the person described as a woman was in fact a lady.”
“Lady” carries an aristocratic air, signifying a woman of high birth, status and refinement. In Old English, it meant “bread kneader,” a role symbolizing female power and status in ancient times. Today, the capitalized “Lady” remains a title in British nobility, paired with “Lord.”
The evolution of “woman” from wifman led to some misconceptions. Some interpreted wifman as “wife-man,” implying that a woman’s value is tied to her husband and that a woman’s life is incomplete without a man. Others have speculated that “woman” derives from “womb-man,” equating womanhood solely with childbearing and reproduction. Those misconceptions have largely been dismissed, but the “man” in “woman” still causes confusion. It is essential to remember that in this context, “man” originally meant “person.”
To avoid the gendered implications of “-man,” feminists coined womyn in 1975, aiming to sever the linguistic tie to males. However, that neologism faced criticism within gender studies circles for being unnecessary, confusing and inadvertently exclusionary.
Reflecting contemporary trends, the Oxford English Dictionary included womxn in its March 2021 update, pronounced like “woman” in the singular and “women” in the plural. That term aims to avoid the embedded “man” and use “x” to signify inclusivity. However, womxn has been criticized as unnecessary and, paradoxically, exclusionary.
The original meaning of “woman” is “female person,” with wo- being a variant of “wife” (the modern sense of “wife” came later), and man originally meaning “person,” regardless of gender. The rise of gender consciousness and political correctness has inevitably impacted that English term.
Language evolves through trial and error, stumbling forward in its quest for progress. This International Women’s Day, we explore the etymology of “woman,” celebrating the rich history and evolution of a word that represents half of humanity. To all women, we honor your past, present and future.
Hugo Tseng holds a doctorate in linguistics, and is a lexicographer and former chair of the Soochow University English Department.
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