What is the origin of the word "broad" as it is used to refer to a woman? What was its original meaning?

Question

What is the origin of the word "broad" as it is used to refer to a woman? What was its original meaning?

Answer 1

maybe because their hips are broader than mens.

Answer 2

Broad was a slang term that I think came around the 1920's, this term was first used to point out women that were "broad" and by that it was meant that they had a large rear end. Over time it it mixed into mean any woman.

Answer 3

This term came from an era when the view of the perfect woman was considerable different than it is today---they idolized a much chunkier hefty female for it was thought that she was the perfect 'bearer of children' which was the ultimate proof of manhood-----so this term actually, originally came from sailors--they would talk of the super gals they had encountered as being 'broad of beam' ---the broadbeamed gal swiftly became a simplified "Broad" and it stuck---it is still in use today when some people want to spice up their talk with a little cross-era spark or two

Answer 4

broad









broad [ brawd ]





adjective (comparative broad·er, superlative broad·est)



Definition:



1. wide: large from one side to the other

a broad forehead

six inches broad





2. large and spacious: extending a great distance in all directions

the broad steppes





3. measured across: measured from side to side

as broad as it is long





4. full and clear: full and clear to see

a broad grin

broad daylight





5. covering wide range: comprehensive in content, knowledge, experience, ability, or application

She has very broad interests.





6. not detailed: general and lacking detail

I'll give you a broad outline of the project.





7. widespread or generalized: widespread or generalized throughout a large and diverse group of people

a broad feeling of disillusionment in the party





8. obvious: meant to be easily understood

dropping broad hints about their plans





9. unobstructed: with nothing blocking the way

in broad view





10. tolerant: tending to tolerate or accept the ideas and conduct of other people, even when these are very different from your own

I think I have fairly broad views on the whole.





11. potentially offensive: potentially offensive to accepted standards of propriety

broad humor





12. phonetics strongly regional: describes a regional accent that is very strong or pronounced





13. phonetics showing only main differences: describes a phonetic transcription that gives only major differences





14. phonetics pronounced with tongue down: describes a vowel pronounced with the tongue low and flat and the mouth open wide









noun (plural broads)



Definition:



1. wide part: the wide part of something

He slapped Jack across the broad of his back.





2. offensive term: an offensive term for a woman ( slang )









adverb



Definition:



completely: to the fullest extent





[ Old English brād < Germanic]





broad·nessn

Answer 5

The idiom orignated to describe a woman with "broad hips", one who would be able to birth babies a little easier.

Answer 6

narrow at the shoulders...wide at the hips? Maybe it meant the opposite of narrow minded?