A woman's mistress or sweetheart; also sometimes used to refer to a prostitute or a disreputable woman.
From Dutch 'doosje' (little doll) or possibly from the name 'Doxie' used generically for women of loose morals in 16th-17th century slang.
This word appears in Shakespeare and shows how language reflects the social judgment of its time—the same word used informally for a girlfriend could become an insult when applied to women society disapproved of.
Doxie historically means a mistress or prostitute, often applied pejoratively to women, particularly in 16th-18th century English. The term medicalized and moralized female sexuality as deviant, reflecting patriarchal control over women's economic and sexual autonomy.
Use only in historical context when analyzing period language. Avoid applying as a descriptor for living people; if necessary, use neutral terms like 'sex worker' or 'partner,' which center the person's agency.
["intimate partner","sex worker","mistress (in neutral historical context)"]
Sex worker advocacy movements have reclaimed language around commercial sex work and challenged the moral condemnation embedded in historical terms like 'doxie,' centering workers' labor and rights.
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