call girl
C2Informal
Definition
Meaning
A prostitute who can be contacted by telephone.
A sex worker, typically independent or working through an agency rather than on the street, who arranges appointments via phone call.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a higher-class or more discreet sex worker compared to streetwalkers. It is a compound noun. The term has specific connotations of transactional sex arranged by prior appointment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between BrE and AmE.
Connotations
Both carry the same associations of professional sex work arranged privately.
Frequency
Term is equally recognized and used in both varieties, though perhaps slightly more formal alternatives like 'escort' are now more common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be + article] + call girl[verb (work/employ/hire) + as/for] + call girlVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “She was more than a call girl; she was his confidante. (literary extension)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in standard business contexts.
Academic
Used in sociological, criminological, or gender studies contexts.
Everyday
Used informally, often in news, media, or discussions about sex work.
Technical
Used in legal or law enforcement reports.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The scandal involved a politician and an expensive call girl.
- The film portrayed the life of a 1960s London call girl.
- The investigation revealed that the so-called 'consultant' was actually a high-class call girl on the agency's books.
- Her memoir detailed the complex power dynamics of her former life as a call girl to the elite.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A 'call' girl is 'called' for an appointment, distinguishing her from a streetwalker.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEX IS A SERVICE (commercial transaction).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation 'девушка по вызову' which is overly literal; 'проститутка высокого класса' or 'эскорт' are closer in some contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'callgirl' as one word (standard is two words: 'call girl').
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'call girl' primarily distinguished by?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and can be considered blunt or derogatory. 'Escort' or 'sex worker' are often preferred in more neutral or respectful contexts.
Historically, 'call girl' explicitly implied prostitution, while 'escort' could imply social companionship without guaranteed sexual services. In modern usage, the terms often overlap, though 'escort' can be a euphemism.
No, the term is gendered. The equivalent male term would be 'call boy' or more commonly 'male escort'.
Its usage has declined somewhat in favor of terms like 'escort' or 'sex worker', but it remains widely understood and used in media and everyday language.
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