3 ms·

"A bridesmaid needs to be unmarried" - Interesting...

• corrral 4y ago
  It's in the name. Webster's 1913: Maid (?), n. [Shortened from maiden. ?. See Maiden.] 1. An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a girl; a virgin; a maiden.
• cafard 4y ago
  There is (that I know of) no such requirement in American custom. One does hear of a "Matron of Honor" as opposed to "Maid of Honor", but it is true that "bridesmaids and/or matrons" has an awkward sound.
• spoonjim 4y ago
  The whole origin of the tradition was to showcase some other available women for marriage. "Look at these other beautiful girls! Maybe some eligible young man you know would like to be introduced?"
• astura 4y ago
  Bridesmaid = maid of the bride. Bride = woman getting married. Maid = young unmarried girl or woman/virgin. In contemporary American culture it's just friends/family of any age/marital status. But they really should change the name.
  • RJIb8RBYxzAMX9u 4y ago
    > But they really should change the name. If the word "literally" in the vernacular, has come to mean the complete opposite of its original definition, let's not begrudge the word "maid" losing its original marital status -- and it's more about their virginity IIUC -- connotation. English is just a mess.
• selimthegrim 4y ago
  If they’re all married who’s going to catch the bouquet?