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Where does the phrase 'girl friday' come from?

Question #26968. Asked by puffin.
Last updated Dec 13 2016.

wajo
Answer has 3 votes
wajo
21 year member
186 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
Doesn't it come from Man Friday in 'Robinson Crusoe'?

Jan 24 2003, 1:29 PM
palaceben
Answer has 2 votes
palaceben
22 year member
172 replies

Answer has 2 votes.
And both Brainy Blonde's references refer to Man Friday, so that's alright then :-)

Jan 26 2003, 9:41 PM
Brainy Blonde
Answer has 4 votes
Currently Best Answer
Brainy Blonde

Answer has 4 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Brainy Blonde says:

girl Friday n. Informal
An efficient and faithful woman aide or employee.
girl + (man) Friday

Source: The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
All rights reserved
link http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=girl%20friday

One entry found for girl Friday
Main Entry: girl Friday
Function: noun
Etymology: girl + Friday (as in man Friday)
Date: 1940: a female assistant (as in an office) entrusted with a wide variety
of tasks
link https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/girl%20Friday
Fri Jan 24 00:42:29 CST 2003 (Delete Entry)
(Reposted to fix characters - McG)

Response last updated by CmdrK on Dec 13 2016.
Jan 28 2003, 5:21 PM
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