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I sent this as an email to M & G but it may not ever get answered so, I'm posting here...
I have a question about the term "frenchie". My mom used to use it in a very particular way. She would use it to denote a woman who dresses in inexpensive, tacky clothes and jewelry, wears heavy make up, and uses cheap perfume creating an overall gaudy appearance. Obviously, my mom used the term in a derogatory way and it would tickle me how she'd try to soften it by saying something like, "She has beautiful hair, but she's a bit of a frenchie."
I've done some research on "frenchie" (or "frenchy") but have only come up with it being used as a derogatory term for a person who acts "French". So, I'm hoping you can answer, for one, What is the "who, when, and where" behind French characteristics being unfavorable? And two- How did my mother end up using the term "frenchie" to denote a "gaudy woman" in general.
By the way, my mom grew up in Upstate New York (in the 40s and 50s) and so I'm thinking it could have something to do with prejudice against French Canadians.
Hope someone can shed some light on this for me! Thanks!
I have not researched this yet, but my initial instinct is that it is a shorter and more polite version of imagery my father used. He served in WWII and was in France during part of his service. He would use the phrase "French whore" in that circumstance, and "French whorehouse" for its architectural equivalent.
"She's all done up like a French whore." "That restaurant is fancy as a French whorehouse!"
So I suspect it is a residual from WWII, and I suspect your mother was eliding and editing the more vulgar phrase that my father embraced.
I will try to confirm or deny.
[edit: added the following]
Well, I already found this interesting passage in a book about WWI, so my timing was certainly off.
passage
This story in translation shows "Frenchy" used that way:
passage
I went to public school with a Frenchie, a couple of Jerrrys, and a couple of Micks, whose ethnic background matched, plus Scott and Chad, whose etyhis background didn't match. None of these were offensive.
Now in college, there were a couple of kids called Joisey, who were from the Philly suburbs in New Jersey. Now that was an offensive nickname, not because theyt were Italian, but because they were jerks.
I would guess that your mother's attitudes more likely came from two world wars, rather than from the Arcady. People in dire straits do things to survive that otherwise would never been considered. Attitudes about the Romany and the Jews may also derive from survival tactics required to survive as people without a home.
Glenn, your 1st reference above is to a French soldier with exuberant antics. The 2nd sounds angry but really doesn't point up a set of characteristics.
Generally the suffix -y or -ie sounds playful or even endearing: Aussie, Yanky, Mounty. The truly nasty name callings are single-syllable: Jap, Kraut, Gook.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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