A female member of a Parisian gang or street group, particularly in 19th-century slang.
French, diminutive of 'apache' (a Parisian street gang member), with the -ette suffix making it feminine.
The term 'apache' for Parisian gang members might come from romantic associations with wild, free Native Americans—a fascinating example of how one culture's mythology influenced another's slang.
Diminutive form of 'apache' applying gendered suffix '-ette' to criminal/transgressive identity, feminizing marginality in ways that carry stereotypical connotations.
Avoid gendered suffixes in professional contexts; refer to individuals by identity without feminizing diminutives.
["apache"]
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