User:Hartbox

Semantic Derogation
Semantic Derogation is a concept is sociology that denotes the historical devaluation of a word, namely through association. It affects words principally considered feminine. For example, the word "mistress", originally the feminine counterpart to "mister", has now assumed a more negative role as a word used to describe a sexually promiscuous woman. The latter word, however, has retained its original meaning.