History of words (language and gender)

Spinster

1. The earliest record of the word spinster being used in a written text was in – 1362, ‘Langland Piers Plowman A. v. 130   and my wyf at Westmunstre þat wollene cloþ made, Spak to þe spinsters for to spinne hit softe.’
2. Spinster is a Dutch word.
3. The original meaning of the word – spinster, is - a woman (or, rarely, a man) who spins, esp. one who practises spinning as a regular occupation. However this meaning has changed over time, as it now has the denotation of – a woman still unmarried; esp. one beyond the usual age for marriage, an old maid.
4. The primary meaning has altered slightly; in 1380 the definition was - Appended to names of women, originally in order to denote their occupation, but subsequently (from the 17th century) as the proper legal designation of one still unmarried. In 1719, it was reformed to just simply - A woman still unmarried; esp. one beyond the usual age for marriage, an old maid. The emphasis is on relationship status and not profession, showing a semantic shift over time.
5. The spelling hasn’t changed and it’s persistently been used as a noun.

 

Bachelor

1. The earliest record of the word – bachelor used in a written text was in 1297 - R. Gloucester's Chron. 453   Syre ȝong bacheler...þow art strong & corageus.
2. The word originates from Italy.
3. The original meaning of – bachelor, is: a young knight, not old enough, or having too few vassals, to display his own banner, and who therefore followed the banner of another; a novice in arms. [On this sense was founded the conjectural etymology of bas chevalier.] This is in contrast to the most recent definition, whereby it relates to accommodation where a bachelor would stay.
4. The primary meaning has been extended upon; in 1386, the meaning was - An unmarried man (of marriageable age). Whereas, in 1694, the definition expanded to – an inexperienced person, a novice. This suggests that because the man isn’t married, therefore he lacks experience in that aspect of life.
5. There has been various different ways to spell the word, ranging from batcheler to bachilers. It’s used as a noun.

Bitch

1. The earliest record of the word – bitch used in a written text was in 1398 - J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xviii. i. 742   The bytche bringeth forth blynde whelpes.
2. The word originates from – Germany.
3. The original meaning of the word – bitch is: the female of the dog. This is in contrast to the most recent definition of: A primitive form of lamp used in Alaska and Canada.
4. The primary meaning of the word – bitch, is a female dog however over time the word has changed completely to be an insult.
5. The spelling hasn’t changed and it’s persistently been used as a noun.
   
   

Bastard

1. The earliest record of the word bastard is in – 1297, R. Gloucester's Chron. 295   Of þulke blode Wyllam bastard com.
2. The word originates from – France.
3. The original meaning of the word – bastard is: One begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate or natural child. This is in contrast to the most recent definition of - Of abnormal shape or irregular (esp. unusually large) size; spec. applied.
4. The primary meaning of the word bastard is - One begotten and born out of wedlock; an illegitimate or natural child, however over time the word has changed meaning an insult.
5. The spelling hasn’t changed and it’s persistently been used as an adjective.