A bodyguard is a person whose job is to protect someone, especially an important or famous person, from harm.
It is a compound of “body” and “guard,” literally someone who guards another person’s body. This kind of straightforward combination is common in English job names.
The word hints that the body itself—not the ideas or money—is what needs guarding most. A bodyguard is like a human shield, turning their own body into a barrier between danger and the person they protect.
‘Bodyguard’ roles have been stereotyped as male, reflecting assumptions that physical protection and security work belong to men. This has obscured the presence and contributions of women in protective services.
Use ‘bodyguard’ for any gender and avoid defaulting to male pronouns or imagery when describing the role.
["security guard","protective agent","personal security detail"]
Women have served as bodyguards, security professionals, and close protection officers, often facing and challenging gender bias in security fields.
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