Lingerie

/ˈlɑːnʒəreɪ/ noun

Definition

women's underwear and nightclothes

Etymology

from French 'linge' meaning linen

Kelly Says

Lingerie is linen-based luxury that makes you linger in comfort!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Lingerie developed as a commercial category in the 19th century, predominantly marketed to women; the French etymology and luxury framing encode assumptions about female bodies as objects of aesthetic/sexual value.

Inclusive Usage

Use descriptively without gendered assumptions; recognize lingerie exists across genders. Avoid using as a proxy for femininity or objectification.

Inclusive Alternatives

["intimate apparel","undergarments"]

Empowerment Note

Women's history: women designers, manufacturers, and entrepreneurs built the modern intimates industry; Dorothy Liebes and countless unnamed seamstresses shaped this market.

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