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Varebeholdninger - Udbytte for regnskabsaret
udesenge

Glossary entry

Danish term or phrase:

Husmoder

English translation:

the lady of the house

Added to glossary by Diarmuid Kennan
Aug 10, 2007 09:59
16 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Danish term

Husmoder

Danish to English Other Poetry & Literature
I don't find the modern word 'housewife' 'appropriate with regards to the former meaning, a woman who was in charge of an entire household - basically a mixture of 'madmor' and husmoder. Is there an old English equivalent?
Proposed translations (English)
2 +2 the lady of the house
3 +2 Housekeeper
3 Chatelaine
3 goodwife
3 matriarch
Change log

Aug 24, 2007 04:08: Diarmuid Kennan Created KOG entry

Discussion

Gitte Gifford (asker) Aug 10, 2007:
"Computer said no" (quote Little Britain:-) - I did not get to finish the sentence - goodwife is very English and 16th century where as matriarch refers to sole female reign. As said, all your suggestions are really fine. I just can't rate every single one of you as the system is not set up to it but I have enjoyed our discussion here and learned a lot! Have a nice weekend everyone!
Gitte Gifford (asker) Aug 10, 2007:
All suggestions are very good and correct in their own proper context , and I wish I could add all of them to the glossary but that function is not allowed/available. Chatelaine is very 13th century
Christine Andersen Aug 10, 2007:
You can edit the term you add to the glossary when you award points or close without giving points, if that is what you decide to do.
Gitte Gifford (asker) Aug 10, 2007:
I've decided to go for mistress of the house - a good equivalent to master of the housee - thanks to everybody, guess I can't rate myself:) but I would like to add the term if only I knew how to...
Gitte Gifford (asker) Aug 10, 2007:
Mistress I think too. But does it imply something that can be misunderstood by Native English people (in this case visitors at a museum) - as I know the term is used in sexual circles.

Thnaks to Christine for suggesting chatelaine but that is too old in this case:)
Gitte Gifford (asker) Aug 10, 2007:
Good point I found this: http://www.womenintheancientworld.com/mistress of the house.... But your suggestion was good too, only problem is that she is not of 'noble stock' but in a very high social position yet not upper class/nobility.
Gitte Gifford (asker) Aug 10, 2007:
Not quite housekeeper, as this would mean a lower social position. In this case the woman is the mistress of the house ( in lack of a better term) but would it be misunderstood to use that term?

Proposed translations

+2
1 hr
Selected

the lady of the house

A housekeeper is an employee, the mistress or lady of the house are family members. Mistress implies there are household staff, at least to my ear.
Peer comment(s):
agree William [Bill] Gray : Or "mistress of the house".
1 hr
agree Charlesp
2 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
24 mins

Chatelaine

Chatelaine

Since you actually ask for an older word, but it is marked as dated in the Concise Oxford dictionary.

chatelaine
· n.
1 dated a woman in charge of a large house.
2 historical a set of short chains attached to a woman’s belt, used for carrying keys or other items.
– ORIGIN C19: from Fr. châtelaine, fem. of châtelain ‘castellan’, ult. rel. to castle.
_________________

Longmans says:

formal; the female owner, or wife of the owner, of a large country house or castle in France

(and the key chain as above).

It is a bit literary, but might fit your context.
Something went wrong...
+2
4 mins

Housekeeper

This is a possibility. A house keeper was in charge of the affairs of the household

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Note added at 4 mins (2007-08-10 10:04:25 GMT)
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NB - it is 'housekeeper' - not 'house keeper'

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Note added at 8 mins (2007-08-10 10:08:06 GMT)
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Okay, I get your point. How about 'lady of the house'?

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Note added at 18 mins (2007-08-10 10:18:08 GMT)
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Perhaps mistress of the house would be more suitable here?

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Note added at 57 mins (2007-08-10 10:56:45 GMT)
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As long as you say 'mistress of the house' it has no connotations in my opinion. ' I have check this with one other native speaker who agrees with me.

Mistres' on its own could be very easily misunderstood of course:)
Peer comment(s):
agree Christine Andersen : I think mistress is fine - and does not always have sexual connotations - a bit like 'bolle' in Danish, which is an indispensible item in a baker's shop
53 mins
agree Michele Fauble : 'mistress of the house'
1 hr
Something went wrong...
1 hr

goodwife

a bit archaic, maybe what you are looking for.
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

matriarch

depending upon your context.
Something went wrong...
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