Since homosexuals have co-opted the term, "coming out," what do the upper crust types now call debutantes?

The OED says slightly different:


13. To show oneself publicly (in some character or fashion); to declare oneself (in some way); to make a public declaration of opinion. Also spec. to acknowledge publicly one's homosexuality. Cf. to come out of the closet at closet n. 3d.

14. To make a début on the stage or int some kindred professional character.

I've heard people say "make her debut" and/or "have her season", but most of the families I know are too dedicated to equal rights to pander to such misogynistic antiquated ways. I was given the choice, in my teen years, and politely declined the dubious honor of the "deb ball" experience.

quote:

given the choice, in my teen years, and politely declined the dubious honor of the "deb ball" experience.

My sister also turned down the invitation, but my brother accepted and was runner-up queen.

I'd say that Caterwauller is right. The notion of debutante has, in any meaningful way, pretty-well faded into history, as has the notion of a young woman's "coming out" [into society]. As far as I am concerned, the homosexuals can have the term!

I had no idea that I was THAT far behind the times! When I was a youngster, I read in the newspaper society pages of many upper crust teenage girls "coming out," although I only had one friend whose family had the status to have their daughter be a debutante. Alas, that friend pulled a "Richard Cory." So much for being rich...

Thanks, y'all for bringing me up to date.

First off, Welcome back CW. We hope you'll pull up a chair and stay awhile.

I wonder if these debutante parties are seen in only in certain parts of the country. I surely never saw them when I was young, and even now I've only seen them in certain cultures. Here is an article about them.

Wow - the comments on that article are scathing. I'm sure there are still plenty of Deb balls around. There are families much more "well off" than mine who care strongly about such things as "marrying the right kind". I'm glad they're making them international. Should help with the problems of inbreeding seen in the royal families of old.

I can't say that I'm sorry that these events have faded into insignificance. Essentially, they would mark a young woman's entry into the marriage market. Over here she would be presented to the sovereign at Court but Liz realised in 1958 that they were a waste of resources and abolished them.

Agreed, arnie.

CW, there was more of an article there when I first posted it - strange that it has changed. I rarely read the comments of articles so I hadn't realized they were scathing. Sorry about that - but, remember, it's from England.