schoolma'am
Old-fashioned lady educator
A schoolma'am is a female schoolteacher, especially one who teaches in a rural or old-fashioned setting.
The term carries connotations of strictness, primness, and old-fashioned propriety—a schoolma'am might rap knuckles with a ruler or insist on proper posture.
When used figuratively, it describes anyone who is fussy, pedantic, or overly concerned with rules and correctness: Stop being such a schoolma'am about my grammar.
The word has a dated, slightly dismissive flavor.
Educational instruction space
- studentsThose receiving instruction
- instructionGuidance for action
- lessonUnit of teaching
- homeworkStudent assignments for outside class
blackboard · chalkboard · ruler · primer · one-room · pupil · recitation · spelling
Trained self-control or specialty
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
- properSocially appropriate
- rigidUnable to bend
severe · demanding · austere · stiff · formidable · unyielding · no-nonsense · old-fashioned
Principles governing behavior
- orderMethodical arrangement or request
- respectRegard with honor
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- obedienceCompliance with authority
correction · scolding · reprimand · detention · admonishment · supervision · enforcement · command
classroom
Educational instruction space
- studentsThose receiving instruction
- instructionGuidance for action
- lessonUnit of teaching
homework · blackboard · chalkboard · ruler · primer · one-room · pupil · recitation · spelling · penmanship
discipline
Trained self-control or specialty
rigid · severe · demanding · austere · stiff · formidable · unyielding · no-nonsense · old-fashioned · traditional
rules
Principles governing behavior
obedience · correction · scolding · reprimand · detention · admonishment · supervision · enforcement · command · control
schoolma'amfree spirit
Uninhibited, unconventional person
wild child · bohemian · nonconformist · libertine · bon vivant
school, schools, schooled, schooling, schoolmaster, schoolmarm, schoolhouse, schoolboy, schoolgirl