girlism

English

Etymology

girl +‎ -ism

Noun

girlism (countable and uncountable, plural girlisms)

1. girlish behavior
   • 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter LXII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 166:

     I had no moments of weakness, no bed times kissings, no morning fondlings, no little rewards for good girlism; cold and stern, I tried to brace the system,...

   • 1860, Julia Cecilia Stretton, Margaret and her bridesmaids, page 41:

     "I did not approve of the marriage from the first," retorted Lotty; "it is so absurd of girls to go and marry when they do not quite know their own minds, and, at all events, have not lost all their girlisms, and become reasonable women."

   • October 30 1788, Anna Seward, letter to Rev. Dr. Gregory

     Ah! my friend, can I learn to think these thrilling recollections the prejudices of girlism, and the echo of other people's opinions?

Related terms

• schoolgirlism