The word “tomboy” isn’t a new one. In fact, it originated centuries ago, in the 14th century. Its use dates back to Europe and the Americas. Its meaning, however, has been debated ever since. So, let’s see what we know about this word.
In America
The word “tomboy” comes from the English name “Tom.” In the mid-16th century, the name Tom meant a typical male, but had negative connotations, including a male who was impolite or rowdy. As such, the term came to mean a boy who did not fit the norm.
The word “tomboy” was originally used to describe a boisterous youngster. The Oxford English Dictionary dates the word’s first use to 1567. In 1915, playground advocate Joseph Lee wrote that the “tomboy” phase was important for children’s physical development between the ages of eight and thirteen. The term continued to be popular during the World Wars I and II.
The word “tomboy” was first used to refer to a woman. The definition evolved over the centuries to include a bold or immodest woman. However, by 1592, the word had become associated with an immodest or rude woman. Eventually, the word was used in a more modern sense to refer to an immodest or boisterous young woman.
In Britain
The word tomboy was first recorded in the UK in the 14th century and has its roots in English. This term was originally used as a simile to describe a woman with a bold or brash spirit. Later on, it became a more direct word and was used to describe women, especially young women, who acted immodestly.
The concept of a ‘tomboy’ is not new, dating all the way back to the Renaissance. But it only really became popular in Great Britain in the late eighteenth century. At the time, women such as Catherine Macaulay and Mary Wollstonecraft urged mothers to foster their daughters’ tomboyish traits and encourage them to be independent. These writers also supported the notion that children should live in a safe environment where they can develop freely without being overly supervised by adults. Many diaries, letters, and journals from this period contain numerous references to the concept of tomboyism.
In Europe
The word “tomboy” has origins in the 16th century. Its meaning originally referred to a boisterous boy. The word is derived from the male name “Tom,” which means “boy.” Its meaning was similar to that of the words “tom-foolery” and “tom-foolery.” According to the Ayto Dictionary of Word Origins, “Tom was an archetypal male name. As a result, tom signified male aggression.”
While the term “tomboy” was first used for males, the concept of a tomboy was already common in European culture. However, it was not until the late eighteenth century that it gained popularity as a social movement. During this time, women like Mary Wollstonecraft and Catherine Macaulay advocated for the upbringing of young girls in a way that encouraged their natural tomboy nature and independence. Their writings were dotted with references to the word, including letters, diaries, and journals.
In Australia
It’s important to understand the gender of tomboys. While we often think of them as generically female, they are often not. The word can also refer to women who are not sexy or masculine. Many women are comfortable using the word to describe themselves, but not everyone is comfortable with it. For example, some say the word tomboy is archaic, and it is an outdated way to describe girls.
The word “tomboy” has an interesting history. The term was originally used to describe a boisterous youth. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word was first used in 1567 by Ralph Roister Doister. In 1915, playground advocate Joseph Lee wrote that the tomboy phase was a crucial time in physical development, particularly between ages eight and thirteen. The popularity of tomboyism continued into the 20th century, and even into World War II.
In Canada
“Tomboy” is a word that conjures up images of young girls, but what do these images mean? Those images have been popularized by the fashion industry, which has taken the idea of the tomboy and made it a part of its marketing strategy. The tomboy image consists of a woman in striped shirts, a blazer, and loafers, all of which have been popularized by Hollywood.
The word “tomboy” was first used to describe a male in the mid-16th century. It later came to mean a girl who was bold and a bit immodest. Initially, the word meant a boy-like girl, but it has become a societal catchall for an impolite girl.
In France
When was the word tomboy invented? The word first appears in the English language in the 1550s and soon became a synonym for “immodest girl.” It is a softened term for bad and immodest women and is related to the word tomfoolery, which means “to play tomfoolery.” The word tomboy also implies rudeness and bad behavior.
The word tomboy is derived from the French word Gamine, which means “to play.” In the mid-16th century, Thomas was a common first name for boys, and the shortened form was used to denote an impolite or rowdy male. This usage has lasted to this day.
In Italy
The term tomboy has been around since the sixteenth century. It was first used to describe rough and tough boys, and later, as a term for girls who preferred boyish activities. The term is a mash-up of two words: boy and Tom. According to the Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, the word tomboy means “naughty boy” and “boisterous boy.”
The word tomboy was first used in 1545, and it later became a term for an immodest, lascivious, or boisterous woman. In the nineteenth century, it evolved into a term that refers to an ebullient, boisterous young woman. It is now a synonym of a “moody, boisterous” girl, and a compliment, but some people still see it as sexist.
In Spain
The word tomboy was first used in the mid-16th century in England, where the name Tom had the same meaning as “tomboy.” At the time, it was used to describe a typical male and was used to suggest a person who was rowdy and impolite. But as the term gained popularity, it began to mean a different kind of female.
During the Renaissance, Spain was a highly conservative society. This resulted in an environment where girls who were considered tomboyish were stigmatized and not admired. The word was eventually used to describe an immodest or sexy woman. But by the mid-18th century, the term had become a common reference for an immodest or boisterous young woman.
In Portugal
The term “tomboy” has a long history dating back to the late 1500s, when it was first used to describe an immodest and bold young woman. However, it really came of age during the Roaring Twenties, a time of great liberation for women. This era also saw the birth of the garconne, a style of dress that was described in Vogue as “straight and simple, with a bob cut and a slit.”
The word “tomboy” is a gender-bending term already, but it is often misused to describe girls who wear men’s clothing. Today, the term is generally used to describe girls and boys who are dressed more sexily than their male counterparts.
