Painted lady
Meaning
The phrase "painted lady" can refer to a common migratory butterfly, or, more derogatorily, a woman who uses excessive makeup to alter her appearance, historically implying artifice or loose morals.
Origin
The 'Painted Lady' butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is a common, globally distributed species known for its vivid, intricate wing patterns that appear as if meticulously hand-painted. This natural artistry likely inspired the initial naming of the butterfly. However, the phrase soon took on a more human and often derogatory connotation, particularly from the 18th century onward. Society began to apply 'painted lady' to women who used excessive makeup, especially rouge and powder, which was frequently viewed as an attempt to mask natural beauty, signal a frivolous lifestyle, or even denote a woman of questionable virtue. The striking, artificial 'painting' of a woman's face mirrored the ostentatious 'paint' of the butterfly's wings, drawing a direct and often unflattering parallel between the two.
Examples
- The elderly woman sniffed disdainfully at the young actress, whose heavily rouged cheeks and bright lipstick marked her as a true painted lady of the theater.
- He cautioned his son to avoid the painted ladies at the tavern, suggesting they were not the sort of women one brought home to meet the family.