{"id":26858,"date":"2024-08-28T08:57:56","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T12:57:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urelles.com\/?p=26858"},"modified":"2025-03-25T12:45:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T16:45:43","slug":"can-we-say-miss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.urelles.com\/en\/magazine\/can-we-say\/can-we-say-miss\/","title":{"rendered":"Can we say \u201cmiss\u201d?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to \u201cCan we say?\u201d, a monthly column where URelles answers questions about inclusive language. Got a question for us? Write to info@urelles.com and we\u2019ll get back to you. It\u2019s all anonymous.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read previous articles<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Want to start the conversation about inclusive language in your organization? URelles can help! Find out more about our training courses on various topics related to equity, diversity and inclusion. <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Can we say \u201cmiss\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The term \u201cmiss\u201d has long been used to designate an unmarried young woman. In recent years, however, the term has become the subject of debate and questioning, not least because of its origins and social implications. Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origin and meaning of \u201cmiss\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The origin of the term \u201cmiss\u201d comes from oiselle, meaning white goose, virgin in the Middle Ages. The term applied to young noble girls who did not yet have a title (baroness, countess\u2026), whether married or not. Its male equivalent was the damoiseau<\/em>, a young nobleman not yet a knight, also known as an \u00e9cuyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 17th century France, the term was commonly used to designate an unmarried woman. It\u2019s important to recognize that the use of this term was deeply rooted in a patriarchal society where a woman\u2019s marital status was often considered a relevant and defining piece of information about her identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, however, the connotations of \u201cmiss\u201d began to change. Today, the term has become associated with stereotypes and restrictive social expectations, often portraying single women as \u201cincomplete\u201d or awaiting marriage to be fully \u201crealized\u201d. This reductive connotation is leading to growing concerns about its appropriate use, particularly in professional contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The feminist struggle in France<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since the early 2000s, two French feminist associations, Osez le f\u00e9minisme! and Les Chiennes de garde, have been defending women against sexist insults, particularly in public spaces, the media and advertising. In 2011, they joined forces to campaign for the removal of the term \u201cmiss\u201d from French administrative forms. The associations put forward three main arguments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n