Husmoder
English translation: the lady of the house
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| 09:59 Aug 10, 2007 |
| Danish to English translations [PRO] Poetry & Literature | |||||||
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|  Selected response from: Diarmuid Kennan Ireland Local time: 01:46 | ||||||
Grading comment
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| Summary of answers provided | ||||
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| 3 +2 | Housekeeper |
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| 2 +2 | the lady of the house |
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| 3 | Chatelaine |
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| 3 | goodwife |
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| 3 | matriarch |
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| Discussion entries: 7 | |
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Answers
24 mins confidence: 
Chatelaine Explanation: Chatelaine Since you actually ask for an older word, but it is marked as dated in the Concise Oxford dictionary. chatelaine · n. 1 dated a woman in charge of a large house. 2 historical a set of short chains attached to a woman’s belt, used for carrying keys or other items. – ORIGIN C19: from Fr. châtelaine, fem. of châtelain ‘castellan’, ult. rel. to castle. _________________ Longmans says: formal; the female owner, or wife of the owner, of a large country house or castle in France (and the key chain as above). It is a bit literary, but might fit your context. |
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4 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
peer agreement (net): +2Housekeeper Explanation: This is a possibility. A house keeper was in charge of the affairs of the household -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 4 mins (2007-08-10 10:04:25 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- NB - it is 'housekeeper' - not 'house keeper' -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 8 mins (2007-08-10 10:08:06 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- Okay, I get your point. How about 'lady of the house'? -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 18 mins (2007-08-10 10:18:08 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- Perhaps mistress of the house would be more suitable here? -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 57 mins (2007-08-10 10:56:45 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- As long as you say 'mistress of the house' it has no connotations in my opinion. ' I have check this with one other native speaker who agrees with me. Mistres' on its own could be very easily misunderstood of course:) |
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1 hr confidence:
1 hr confidence: peer agreement (net): +2
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