saloon girl

Western tavern hostess

A saloon girl worked in American frontier saloons during the 19th century, entertaining male customers through conversation, dancing, and selling drinks on commission.

The term carries romantic connotations from Western films, though the work often included prostitution.

Saloon girls occupied a social position between respectable women and outright prostitutes: The saloon girl sidled up to the card table with a bottle of whiskey.

Related

corset · frontier · wild west · whiskey · poker · showgirl · petticoat · barmaid · honkytonk · feathers · rouge · piano · Old West · cancan · prostitute · bordello · garter · fancy dress

Categories
Opposites
MORAL RESPECTABILITY (19th century social standards)

saloon girlschoolmarm

Female teacher, often strict

proper lady · temperance advocate · maiden · debutante · gentlewoman

social space and sphere

saloon girlhomemaker

One who manages a household

housewife · domestic · churchgoer · homebody · mother

OCCUPATION TYPE (frontier-era women)

saloon girlschoolmarm

Female teacher, often strict

schoolteacher · governess · missionary · seamstress · midwife

Family

saloon, girl, saloons, girls, girlish, girlhood, girly, salon, salons

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Mostly American · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG