Career Girl - English Definition & Meaning

Definition

A "career girl" is a somewhat dated term for a young woman who is focused on building a successful career. It often implies a certain level of ambition and independence. The term was popular in the mid-20th century, when women entering the workforce in significant numbers was a relatively new phenomenon. While the term can be seen as empowering, it can also carry connotations of being overly focused on work to the detriment of personal life. Think of it as a vintage version of a 'girlboss.' 👩‍💼

Etymology

The term "career girl" is a straightforward combination of "career", from the Latin 'carraria' meaning 'carriage road' or 'racecourse', symbolizing a path or course of action, and "girl", of Germanic origin, referring to a young woman. The term gained prominence in the mid-20th century to describe young women entering professional fields.

Related Words

Examples

• "She was a classic career girl, always climbing the corporate ladder."
• "The magazine featured an article about successful career girls."
• "My grandma was a career girl back in the 1950s, which was rare for her time."
• "The term 'career girl' isn't used much anymore, but the idea is still relevant."

Encouragement

Understanding the term 'career girl' helps you appreciate how women's roles in the workplace have evolved. It's a reminder that women can achieve anything they set their minds to. Plus, it's a useful term for discussing historical representations of women in media! 🚺

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