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stagette
Social customs
DCHP-3 (May 2024)
1n.
a party held for a woman who is getting married.
Type: 5. Frequency — The term is overwhelmingly used in Canada (see Chart 1). Stagette is listed in COD-2, s.v. "stagette", and described as "an all-female celebration in honour of a woman about to marry."; it is not listed in CCD-2010, Gage-5, FWSCD-82, ITP Nelson, or CGCPD-2006.
The term is a headword in OED-3, s.v. "stagette", described as "[o]riginally (U.S.): a party attended only by women (now rare). Now chiefly (Canadian)"; for that reason a classification of "Preservation" (from the US) also applies.
The term is not listed in Merriam-Webster Unabridged or DARE.
The term is a headword in OED-3, s.v. "stagette", described as "[o]riginally (U.S.): a party attended only by women (now rare). Now chiefly (Canadian)"; for that reason a classification of "Preservation" (from the US) also applies.
The term is not listed in Merriam-Webster Unabridged or DARE.
See: stag and doe
Quotations
1936
Friends Plan Many Events Before Her Marriage in April [...] Miss Carol is entertaining at a "stagette" dinner.
1965
A stagette was held for Bev at the Moose Hall with hostesses Betty Randa, Joyce Rousseau and Barb Payette when Bev was presented with an oil painting of Hydro hill by a local artist and a purse with the best wishes of her many friends.
1979
There will be a Stagette in honour of Kathy Bryan whose upcoming marriage to Bob Strong on August 4.
1992
Full wedding packages available. Stags, stagettes, and all special occasions catered to on request.
1994
STAGS, STAGETTES, BIRTHDAYS, DIVORCES, RETIREMENT or any other occasion Just Call and Leave the Rest To Us.
2005
Owen Wilson and fellow Frat-Packer Vince Vaughn team up in a film that's bound to be a hit at both bachelor and stagette parties.
2009
After sporting grad dresses as a gag to a pal's stagette years ago, the gang decided to take dressing up down memory lane a step further with the resurrection of wedding gowns!
2011
Police received a complaint from an individual that she has been assaulted by a female at a stagette. Charges are pending further investigation.
2013
She got the fill-meal, traditional deal when she walked down the aisle at age 21: hall shower, home shower, spud-and-steak social, stagette, fancy white gown with long veil, 250 guests at the reception dinner and dance.
2020
If you need to plan a stagette, birthday party or girls' night out without "breaking the bank" you've come to the right place!
2†n. — obsolete
a social function or club, attended by women without a male partner; a singles event.
This meaning is rare today; see the 1952 quotation, which is from a report from 2023, marking the meaning as historical. OED-3 lists this meaning, with the form stagette, as of 1953 from a US source.
Quotations
1944
Prize winners in the recent "telephone bridge" conducted by the Lethbridge Stagettes were Mrs. D. Livingston, and Miss M. McLennan.
1952
Five women in uniform standing in front of a building
A sign above their heads reads "Welcome! Stagettes""Stamped on the back in black ink: "Jun 16 1952"
Written on the back in blue ink: "At Stagette Convention Meadow Lake Evelyn Norgord Anne Morrison Ethel Watson Norma Weese Hazel"
A sign above their heads reads "Welcome! Stagettes""Stamped on the back in black ink: "Jun 16 1952"
Written on the back in blue ink: "At Stagette Convention Meadow Lake Evelyn Norgord Anne Morrison Ethel Watson Norma Weese Hazel"
1956
Gala Frosh splash dance is scheduled to get underway at 8.30 with a mass dip in the memorial pool followed by a dance in the gym's foyer. [...] Hosts advise that it isn't necessary that individuals turn up in couples. Stags and stagettes are welcome.
References
- OED-3
- COD-2
- FWSCD-82
- Gage-5
- CCD-2010
- ITP Nelson
- CGCPD-2006
- DARE
- Merriam-Webster Unabridged
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