Soubrettes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term used to describe lively young women or maidens, often characterized by their flirtatious nature and spirited demeanor
2. Describing a type of female character typically found in operettas or comedic plays, known for their charm and wit
3. Referring to female performers or roles that embody a playful, sometimes mischievous attitude, often engaging with more serious male counterparts

Etymology: The plural of "soubrette" is a loanword from French, and the French word itself came from Occitan, the language of southern France. In Occitan, "soubreta" meant "coy" or "sly", and the form was the feminine of "soubret", a word for a sly or sharp-witted character. That Occitan stem, "soubra", traces back to Latin "superare", "be above" or "overcome", so the flirtatious, knowing quality of the modern sense has deep roots in the idea of getting the upper hand. The meaning moved from a general sense of cunning to a stage role. In French theatre the soubrette became a standard type: the lively, mischievous maidservant who helps the heroine and outwits her elders. English took the term over with that theatrical sense, and it still carries the flavour of the cheeky servant girl rather than the coy quality its Occitan ancestor described.