Queen of Sheba

English

Etymology

From the Biblical and other traditional accounts of the Queen of Sheba.

Noun

Queen of Sheba (plural Queens of Sheba)

1. (figuratively) A pampered woman with an aristocratic demeanor.
   • 1850, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 5, in The History of Pendennis:

     "It is very fine weather," Miss Fotheringay said, in an Irish accent, and with a deep rich melancholy voice. . . . "And very warm," continued this empress and Queen of Sheba.

   • 1922, Mary Roberts Rinehart, chapter 17, in The Breaking Point:

     At three o'clock that afternoon the Sayre limousine stopped in front of Nina's house, and Mrs. Sayre, in brilliant pink and a purple hat, got out. Leslie, lounging in a window, made the announcement. "Here's the Queen of Sheba," he said.

   • 2004, Diana Abu-Jaber, Crescent‎^[1], →ISBN, page 90:

     "Where is she?" Um-Nadia cries out. "Where is that Queen of Sheba?" Sirine is yawning. It was quite late when she finally walked out of Han's big dark car and into her house.