fille de joie

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word fille de joie. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word fille de joie, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say fille de joie in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word fille de joie you have here. The definition of the word fille de joie will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition offille de joie, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French fille de joie.

Noun

fille de joie (plural filles de joie)

  1. A female prostitute; a courtesan.
    Synonym: joy girl
    • 1751, [Tobias] Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle , volumes (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: Harrison and Co., , →OCLC:
      [A]fter he had spent some months, and a round sum of money, in fruitless attendance and addresses, he fairly quitted the pursuit, and consoled himself with the conversation of a merry Fille de joye, whose good graces he acquired by an allowance of twenty Louis per month [] .
    • 2005, Hermann Langbein, People in Auschwitz:
      He announced that anyone who volunteered as a fille de joie would be given her own room, clean clothes, sufficient food and cigarettes, and the opportunity to bathe every day.

French

Etymology

Literally, girl of joy.

Pronunciation

Noun

fille de joie f (plural filles de joie)

  1. (euphemistic) lady of the night (female prostitute)
    Synonyms: prostituée, fille des rues, travailleuse du sexe

Descendants

See also