The word “bra” hits the century mark
Ladies take a look down at your chest and notice the contraption holding those breasts up. Gentlemen, borrow a glance at the lady sitting next to you because the 100th anniversary for the term “brassiere” is upon us.
The term “brassiere” comes from the French word for “upper arm” and was coined by Vogue in 1907. Before Vogue created the word they were known by another French term, “soutien-gorge,” which literally means “throat support” or “breast support.” In 1911 the term appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary. In the 1930s “brassiere” shortened to “bra.”
Kate Hickey, 20, a junior classics major, described a funny experience with a guy trying to unhook her bra.
“The hook was in the front and I didn’t tell him for like five minutes,” she said.
“Yeah, (guys) just don’t get it,” said Larissa Rhodes, 19, a sophomore open-option major.
Jason Phipps, 32, and Ryan Smith, 28, a senior international affairs major, reflected on their first times seeing a bra.
“I don’t remember the first time I took a girl’s bra off,” Phipps said.
“I don’t remember either,” Smith said.
Smith is sure that when he unhooks a bra he is “definitely one-handed.”
Vogue coined the term a hundred years ago but the history of the bra dates back to 2000 B.C.
In the 13th century, the goal of women’s undergarments was to draw the focus away from the breasts. In a corsetry shop window, one could read about products that “contain the larger one, supports the weak, and gathers the floppy.”
In the 15th century bodices would flatten the lower chest while pushing up the top, resulting in a magnificent bust line.
In 1889, a garment resembling the bra we know today was invented by corset-maker Herminie Cadolle. The garment was called “Bien-
