Working Girl
Ambitious secretary film
A working girl is a woman who holds a job, typically in an office or professional setting.
The term gained currency in the 1980s to describe young women entering the corporate workforce: She's a working girl now, commuting to Manhattan every day.
Working girl is also a euphemism for a prostitute, a sense that dates back to the 19th century.
Context usually makes clear which meaning applies.
Unacknowledged limit blocking advancement
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- equalitySame status for all
career woman · sexual harassment · underestimated · patronizing · credibility · taken seriously · old boys club · double standard
Administrative office aide
- bossWorkplace superior
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- corner officePremium workplace for leadership
- corporate ladderOrganizational rank structure
typing pool · merger · presentation · boardroom · business suit · briefcase · pitch · office politics
Upper body protective gear
- big hairVoluminous, styled coiffure
- yuppiesMaterialistic city professionals
- ReaganomicsSupply-side fiscal philosophy
- power dressingStrategic professional wardrobe choices
synthesizers · MTV · aerobics · leg warmers · Walkman · cassette tapes · neon colors · power ballads
Rank increase or publicity
- climbingAscending by physical effort
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- self-improvementEnhancing oneself deliberately
- determinationFirmness of purpose
breakthrough · success · advancement · confidence · assertiveness · overnight bag · big break · opportunity
- mistaken identityWrongly recognized as another
- love triangleThree-person romantic entanglement
- office romanceRomantic involvement between colleagues
- happy endingStory concludes well
Sigourney Weaver · Mike Nichols · Carly Simon · makeover · disguise · deception · charm · chemistry
Free harbor passenger boat
- skyscrapersExtremely tall urban buildings
- Wall StreetAmerican finance hub
- Twin TowersDestroyed NYC landmark duo
- taxiVehicle for hire
boroughs · skyline · Hudson River · office buildings · rush hour · cityscape · metropolis
glass ceiling
Unacknowledged limit blocking advancement
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- stereotypeFixed oversimplified notion
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
equality · career woman · sexual harassment · underestimated · patronizing · credibility · taken seriously · old boys club · double standard · feminism
secretary
Administrative office aide
- bossWorkplace superior
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- corner officePremium workplace for leadership
corporate ladder · typing pool · merger · presentation · boardroom · business suit · briefcase · pitch · office politics · assistant
shoulder pads
Upper body protective gear
- big hairVoluminous, styled coiffure
- yuppiesMaterialistic city professionals
- ReaganomicsSupply-side fiscal philosophy
power dressing · synthesizers · MTV · aerobics · leg warmers · Walkman · cassette tapes · neon colors · power ballads · glam metal
promotion
Rank increase or publicity
- climbingAscending by physical effort
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- self-improvementEnhancing oneself deliberately
determination · breakthrough · success · advancement · confidence · assertiveness · overnight bag · big break · opportunity · hustle
Harrison Ford
- mistaken identityWrongly recognized as another
- love triangleThree-person romantic entanglement
- office romanceRomantic involvement between colleagues
Sigourney Weaver · Mike Nichols · Carly Simon · happy ending · makeover · disguise · deception · charm · chemistry · banter
Staten Island Ferry
Free harbor passenger boat
- skyscrapersExtremely tall urban buildings
- Wall StreetAmerican finance hub
- Twin TowersDestroyed NYC landmark duo
taxi · boroughs · skyline · Hudson River · office buildings · rush hour · cityscape · metropolis
- 1988Rain Man, Die Hard, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Beetlejuice, Coming to America
- 80s Pop CultureBack to the Future, E.T., Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones, The Breakfast Club
- Workplace ComedyThe Office, Office Space, 30 Rock, Parks and Rec, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- Rags to RichesCinderella, Rocky, Aladdin, Slumdog Millionaire, Annie
- Dolly PartonJolene, I Will Always Love You, Dollywood, 9 to 5, Kenny Rogers
- DramediesBoJack Horseman, Barry, Atlanta, The Bear, Orange Is the New Black
Working Girltragedy
Disastrous or sorrowful event
drama · Schindler's List · Sophie's Choice · The Accused · Fatal Attraction
Working Girlriches to rags
Dramatic financial decline
downward spiral · Glengarry Glen Ross · Wall Street · Mad Men
Working Girllady of leisure
Woman of independent means
socialite · heiress · kept woman · debutante · trust fund baby
girl, worker, working, works, workers, worked, workable, overworked, workings