Carlines

/ˈkɑːrlɪnz/ noun

Definition

Plural of 'carline'; old women, hags, witches, or common women of low birth (archaic/dialectal).

Etymology

Simple plural of 'carline.' Maintains the gender marking and class-based terminology of the singular form across multiple individuals.

Kelly Says

Folklore and ballads are full of 'carlines'—the word became associated with supernatural beings and obstacles, turning peasant women into stock characters in stories where they're usually obstacles to overcome!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Plural of carline; systematic gendering of female laborers created separate nomenclature that often implied lower status, age-coding, or moral judgment compared to unmarked male equivalents.

Inclusive Usage

In modern usage, avoid carlines in favor of 'women workers' or 'peasant women'; in historical scholarship, note the gendered marking.

Inclusive Alternatives

["peasant women","women laborers","women workers"]

Empowerment Note

Medieval sources frequently undercount women's roles using gender-specific terms that implied secondary status; carline records underrepresent women's full economic agency.

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