damsel in distress

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English

Etymology

Calque of French demoiselle en détresse, from the classic theme in many dramatic forms.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdæm.zəl ɪn dɪˈstɹɛs/

Noun

damsel in distress (plural damsels in distress)

  1. A young woman perceived as being helpless in a dangerous situation and requiring rescue.
    • 1995, Ani DiFranco (lyrics and music), “Not a Pretty Girl”, in Not a Pretty Girl:
      I am not a pretty girl / That is not what I do / I ain't no damsel in distress / And I don't need to be rescued
    • 2020 May 27, Ruby Hamad, “A White Damsel Leveraged Racial Power and Failed”, in New York Times‎:
      The damsel-in-distress archetype probably conjures up images of delicate maidens and chivalrous gentlemen. That is precisely what it is designed to do — for white people.

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