Hoydenisms

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A boisterous or carefree manner typically displayed by a girl or young woman, often characterized by a disregard for conventional behavior
2. The tendency to act in an uninhibited or playful way, especially in the context of social interactions among women
3. An attitude marked by a spirited or lively approach to life, emphasizing a rejection of traditional gender norms and expectations

Etymology: "Hoydenisms" is the plural of "hoydenism," a noun for boisterous, carefree behaviour of the kind associated with a girl or young woman. The plural form simply means individual instances of such conduct. The noun is built from "hoyden" with the suffix "-ism," which in English forms nouns naming a practice, behaviour or characteristic, as in "heroism" or "criticism." "Hoyden" itself is the older part of the word and has a murkier past, with no firmly established source. Its sense shifted over time from a general term for a rough, uncouth person to one applied specifically to a bold, high-spirited girl. The suffix attached to it to name the behaviour rather than the person.