mamsell

See also: Mamsell

English

Noun

mamsell (plural mamsells)

1. Alternative form of mamzelle

Swedish

Alternative forms

• Mamsell, m:lle

Etymology

Borrowed from German Mamsell, derived from French mademoiselle. First attested in 1654.

Noun

mamsell c

1. (early 1700s to 1860s, historical) Miss; (title for an) unmarried lower or middle class woman.

   Coordinate term: fröken (“Miss, Lady (nobel or upper class)”)

   • 1842, Carl Jonas Love Almqvist, Tre fruar i Småland, page 126:

     Skalningen förrättades af tvenne jungfrur, på hvar sin sida om mamsell Maria; och de lade alltid frukten nere i sina knän.

     The peeling was performed by two maidens, on either side of Mamselle Maria; and they would always place the fruit down upon their laps.

   • 1855, Leopold Alm, Stockholms gränder, page 50:

     – Mamma är inte hemma – sade den unga flickan.
     – Å jo, jag hörde nog hennes röst, mamsell Lina. Öppna bara.

     – Mamma is not at home, said the young maiden.
     – Oh, but I certainly heard her voice, Mamselle Lina. Just open the door.

   • 1905 June 2, Tamerlan, “Vårfest på Skansen [Spring Festival at Skansen]”, in Nya Dagligt Allehanda, page 3:

     Alla ha, sedan dessa teatrar efter säsongens slut stängt sina portar, strömmat till Kryllbom och sökt engagemang, och Kryllbom har därför kunnat välja sin personal med ytterlig omsorg. Vi finna där alltså fruarna Stretto-Kryllbom och Petaletti, mamsell Rosencrantz samt herrarne Äppelgren, Hyllander, Janzohni och debutanten Johansson.

     Since these theatres have closed their doors after the conclusion of the season, a multitude has flocked to Kryllbom in search of engagement, and Kryllbom has thus been able to select his personnel with utmost care. We therefore find there the esteemed ladies Stretto-Kryllbom and Petaletti, Mademoiselle Rosencrantz, as well as Messrs. Äppelgren, Hyllander, Janzohni, and the debutant Johansson.

Usage notes

• After the 1860s, following the fröken-reform, the title fröken became widely applied to unmarried women of all classes, whereas it had previously been reserved mostly for unmarried noble and upper-class women. However, mamsell continued to be used in certain pockets of society into the 20th century.
• Today, after the 1960s thou-reform, addressing by first name is seen as more appropriate in Sweden, except under the most formal of circumstances, like when addressing royalty.