demi-monde
Fringe social class
Demi-monde originally meant the class of women in 19th-century France who lived on the fringes of respectable society—kept mistresses, courtesans, and others of dubious reputation.
The term now refers more broadly to any group operating at the margins of respectability: the demi-monde of political fixers and influence peddlers, the art world's glamorous demi-monde.
The word retains a whiff of the illicit or scandalous.
Illicit female lover
- kept womanSupported female companion
- paramourLover in secret affair
- concubineSecondary female partner
- coquetteTeasing, insincere charmer
seductress · fallen woman · grisette · courtesan · escort · companion · socialite · adventuress
Pursuit of gratification
- debaucheryExtreme indulgence in vices
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- excessSurplus beyond need
- sensualityPursuit of physical pleasure
vice · indulgence · dissipation · opulence · decadence · profligacy · libertine · sybarite
Grooming establishment or gathering
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
- boudoirWoman's private chamber
- parlorFormal room for visitors
- cabaretLive entertainment venue
music hall · opera · theatre · ballroom · gambling house · café · nightclub · Montmartre
Outermost edge or margin
- marginsEdges of a page
- netherworldRealm of the dead
- hidden worldUnseen reality existing alongside ours
- secret societyCovert fraternal organization
subterranean · clandestine · illicit · forbidden · taboo · scandalous · risqué · louche
mistress
Illicit female lover
- kept womanSupported female companion
- paramourLover in secret affair
- concubineSecondary female partner
coquette · seductress · fallen woman · grisette · courtesan · escort · companion · socialite · adventuress · femme fatale
hedonism
Pursuit of gratification
- debaucheryExtreme indulgence in vices
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- excessSurplus beyond need
sensuality · vice · indulgence · dissipation · opulence · decadence · profligacy · libertine · sybarite · pleasure-seeker
salon
Grooming establishment or gathering
cabaret · music hall · opera · theatre · ballroom · gambling house · café · nightclub · Montmartre · belle époque
fringe
Outermost edge or margin
- marginsEdges of a page
- netherworldRealm of the dead
- hidden worldUnseen reality existing alongside ours
secret society · subterranean · clandestine · illicit · forbidden · taboo · scandalous · risqué · louche · raffish
demi-mondepolite society
Respectable social elite
high society · beau monde · the elite · aristocracy · bourgeoisie