working girl
B1Informal, colloquial; can be considered old-fashioned or euphemistic depending on context.
Definition
Meaning
A woman who is employed; a female worker.
A euphemism for a prostitute (slang, dated/archaic in some contexts).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is context-dependent. In neutral, modern usage (e.g., "a working girl from the office"), it means a woman with a job. Its euphemistic slang meaning is now often considered outdated, but caution is needed as it can carry a double entendre. The primary meaning is shifting toward the neutral.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core or slang meanings. The euphemistic meaning is understood in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, the neutral meaning can sound slightly quaint or informal. The slang meaning carries the same historical/dated connotation.
Frequency
More common in historical or period dialogue (for both meanings). In contemporary neutral usage, terms like 'working woman' or simply 'woman with a job' are often preferred.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Determiner] + working girl[Adjective] + working girlworking girl + [Prepositional Phrase (from/in)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Nine-to-five working girl (emphasising regular office hours)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare in formal business contexts; considered too informal.
Academic
Virtually never used; 'female labour force participant' or similar would be used.
Everyday
Possible in informal conversation to mean a woman with a job, though slightly dated.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She is working, girl! (as an exclamation, not a compound noun)
American English
- She's been working, girl! (as an exclamation)
adjective
British English
- She has a working-girl attitude. (hyphenated compound adjective)
American English
- She bought a working-girl lunch. (hyphenated compound adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My sister is a working girl in a shop.
- As a working girl, she has to manage her budget carefully.
- The novel's protagonist is a working girl in 1950s London trying to advance her career.
- The term 'working girl' has evolved from a euphemism to a more neutral, though still informal, descriptor for an employed woman.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a girl (woman) actively 'working' at a desk (neutral) versus a girl 'working' the streets (dated slang). The setting clarifies the meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN IS A WORKER (neutral); SEXUAL LABOUR IS WORK (slang).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Прямой перевод «работающая девушка» может быть понят правильно, но звучит неестественно. Лучше «девушка, которая работает» или «работающая женщина».
- Опасность: русский прямой перевод полностью нейтрален, тогда как английское словосочетание имеет устаревший двусмысленный подтекст, который нужно знать.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it without realising the potential outdated double meaning, causing unintended humour or offence.
Practice
Quiz
In which context might the phrase 'working girl' be considered problematic or ambiguous?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently. Its offensiveness depends entirely on context. Used neutrally to mean 'a woman who works', it is informal but inoffensive. However, due to its historical use as a euphemism for a prostitute, it can be misinterpreted or sound dated, so caution is advised.
'Working woman' is safer and more contemporary for the neutral meaning. Even simpler: 'She has a job,' 'She works in [field],' or 'She's a professional.'
No, 'working boy' is not a standard parallel term. The male equivalent in neutral terms is simply 'working man' or 'guy with a job.' 'Working boy' is extremely rare and would likely be interpreted specifically or oddly.
Context is key. Modern settings, office environments, and discussions about careers point to the neutral meaning. Historical settings, nightlife contexts, or deliberately vague phrasing might hint at the slang meaning. When in doubt, use a different phrase.
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