A ruddy-faced, coarse-looking woman; a slattern or slovenly person.
Of uncertain origin, possibly from a Scandinavian root related to 'blaze' or from Dutch 'bloos' (blush). The term entered English in the 17th century with derogatory connotations.
This word reveals class prejudice in older English: what we now might call a 'weathered' or 'hardy' face was once used cruelly to mock working-class women, showing how language can carry hidden judgments about gender and class.
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