Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A short strapless corset with half cups for the breasts and long garters.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
strapless corset with longgarters and half cups for thebreasts .
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Originally a trademark.]
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Originally a trademark of the Maidenform lingerie company, for a product eponymous of the 1952 film The Merry Widow.
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Examples
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sionnach commented on the word merry widow
1. A type of foundation garment, also known as a corselet or corselette. Lana Turner is quoted as having said, "I am telling you, the merry widow was designed by a man. A woman would never do that to another woman."
2. A 1905 operetta by Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Lehár.
October 28, 2007
reesetee commented on the word merry widow
3. A type of wide-brimmed hat trimmed with a plume, popularized by the operetta. Here's an example of fashion taken a bit too far.
April 18, 2008
frindley commented on the word merry widow
The Merry Widow (operetta) was so wildly popular that the name was given to a whole bunch of things. In addition to the undies and the chapeau, there were Merry Widow chocolates, shoes and cigars – all unauthorised apparently. There was even a Merry Widow cocktail: 1 1/2 oz. each of Gin & Sweet Vermouth, with a dash each of Pernod & Bitters, served strained over ice and garnished with a lemon twist.
Merchandise clearly isn't a new concept in the performing arts.
April 18, 2008
sionnach commented on the word merry widow
See also Dolly Varden
July 18, 2008