I thought this little post from my Webster’s Word of the day post might inspire some conversation.
amm
The Word of the Day for January 13 is:
bluestocking \BLOO-stah-king\ noun
: a woman having intellectual or literary interests
Did you know?
In mid-18th century England, a group of ladies decided to replace
evenings of card playing and idle chatter with “conversation parties,”
inviting illustrious men of letters to discuss literary and
intellectual topics with them.
One regular guest was scholar-botanist Benjamin Stillingfleet.
His hostesses willingly overlooked his cheap blue worsted
stockings (a type disdained by the elite) in order to have the benefit
of his lively conversation. Those who considered it inappropriate for
women to aspire to learning derisively called the group the “Blue
Stocking Society.”
The women who were the original bluestockings rose above the attempted put-down and adopted the epithet as a name for members of their society.
25 comments
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January 13, 2007 at 7:26 pm
lorigloyd
In some respects, this derision for anyone who tries to better themselves still exists today. It’s a little more subtle, a little less obvious, and often from people who pride themselves on being opened-minded. Many times those folks deliberately surround themselves with people they considered inferior for the express purpose of smacking them down. It’s a sport for a lot of people.
January 13, 2007 at 7:27 pm
lorigloyd
PS: Great post, by the way, AMM.
January 13, 2007 at 9:50 pm
ninjacat
What a lovely peice of history. How beautifull. Thank you for sharing this word with all of us. I think, I would definately be one of the bluestocking womyn!
January 13, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Heather Blakey
The Blue Stockings were a fascinating group and I allude to them in the Salon du Muse at http://www.dailywriting.net/Salon_du_Muse.htm
Great post A.M.M.
January 14, 2007 at 12:26 am
quinncreative
Great word, no idea where it came from. Also love Lorigloyd’s observations. Even today, so many people try to define art, not for themselves, but for others, with that flyswatter approach of “this is art, and that is not.” Bluestockings of the world, unite!
–Inkspirit
January 14, 2007 at 12:53 am
Anita Marie
Do you know what would be great?
If we had a Blue Stockings ‘meeting’ here at the Tavern once a week- Lori, you’re the Keeper here, what do you think?
Anita Marie
January 14, 2007 at 2:08 am
lorigloyd
What a fabulous idea, Anita Marie! Thank you. Would you like to be the holder of the blue-stocking of topics? Pitch an idea, topic, word, etc. once a week and we’ll talk on it. (If I provided the stocking, it would be a ratty tube sock from Target.) Great idea!
January 14, 2007 at 2:42 am
Anita Marie
Lori sounds cool- I’d love to do that!
Do you have a day like, how does Friday sound? Then we can have the Weekend at the Tavern to hold our Blue Stocking Meetings.
Anita Marie
January 14, 2007 at 3:02 am
imogen88
Yes, I’m for the bluestocking gatherings for sure. People ought to be able to be the best they can be, in no uncertain terms 😉
January 14, 2007 at 3:23 am
lorigloyd
Let’s do it, then! I have created a category called “The Blue Stocking Society” and have added this post to it. I’ll put a blurb on the front page of the Taverna.
January 14, 2007 at 3:42 am
imogen88
Great, Lori!
January 14, 2007 at 3:49 am
lorigloyd
Ladies, check out the front page of the Taverna for info on the Blue Stockings.
January 14, 2007 at 3:50 am
ninjacat
I think it would be fun if we all had a chance to offer a topic to speak on. I think it would create a well-rounded atmosphere for the kind of intellectual banter the “society” was known for. What do you all think?
January 14, 2007 at 4:03 am
lorigloyd
Sure, that’s a good idea. If anyone has a topic to discuss, send it to Anita Marie and she can post it. That way we don’t get more than one topic at a time.
January 14, 2007 at 4:06 am
Anita Marie
Hi Sarah
I was hoping people would want bring ideas to the meetings! So lets do it- in fact, I think it would be great if some of our new members ‘hosted’ the first meeting…so let’s get those ideas in and…
See you there!
Anita Marie
January 14, 2007 at 4:08 am
lorigloyd
PS: Is that okay with you, Anita Marie?
January 14, 2007 at 4:09 am
Anita Marie
Hi Lori,
Sounds good!
January 14, 2007 at 4:09 am
lorigloyd
PSS I guess it is. Good job everyone!
January 14, 2007 at 4:10 am
lorigloyd
Look at us already… we’re overlapping comments already. Does WordPress offer a chatroom function, I wonder? 🙂
January 14, 2007 at 4:35 am
Anita Marie
Hey…you know that might be fun….
Anita Marie
January 14, 2007 at 5:06 am
jan2
Oh to be a ‘bluestocking’ – one of the deepest wishes of my heart.
January 14, 2007 at 5:34 am
Anita Marie
Jan…thanks to Lori and this wonderful forum she’s got up your wish is granted ( hey Lori…commence to waving the magic wand…)
January 14, 2007 at 7:13 am
Heather Blakey
Well! Girls just wanna have fun! Brilliant collaboration here ladies and I have always had a yen to be a blue stocking. Just pop a notice up at the Riversleigh noticeboard so no one misses this festivity.
Sibyl
January 14, 2007 at 11:40 pm
cronelogical
To wear a blue stocking
how funny and shocking
I’ve just learned a new thing
and will join the ring
and learn to be wise and write
poetry and grand themeology
and wonder, dear me
of they let in a crone
who specializes in doggerel. Fran
January 15, 2007 at 5:19 am
aletta mes
as one who has been put down often for using big words, and never being asked for their meaning but rather utterly ignored for not “fitting in” – and it is their language not mine they deprive themselves on – I suppose that too is a blue stocking attitude.
We should never stop being willing to be better, I am so tired of the dumbing down of the masses.