Plural of bawdry; instances or collections of obscene behavior, jokes, or material.
From bawdry, which comes from the noun bawd (a person who runs a brothel). The -ery suffix transforms it into a collective noun referring to the behavior or business associated with bawds. Dates to Middle English and Old French sources.
Medieval literature is full of complaints about 'bawdries' performed in the streets—it was the word people used when they wanted to sound properly scandalized but not crude! It shows how English has always had formal words for informal situations.
Plural of 'bawdry,' referring to bawdy behavior, indecent conduct, or the business of brothels. Gendered as female-associated because the spaces (brothels) and roles (bawds) were framed through a female lens, though men profited equally or more.
Use 'bawdry' or 'obscenity' neutrally in historical or literary contexts. Acknowledge gendered judgment when analyzing historical condemnation.
["obscenity","lewdness"]
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