Rhia Charles, high class escort in London

Demimonde or Semimonde?

Oh my word, it is funny how things present themselves or re-present themsleves to you isnt it?  One of my most favourite of novels has always been Vanity Fair and the saucy but adorable Becky Sharp.  I loved that naughty minx!

I read it some years ago – must be 15 years ago and I was delighted, enthralled at the humour in this fantastic prose. It is as relevant today, in terms of wry humour, as it was when it was first written, in my humble opinion. I must, must revisit it – and soon.

So, today I was researching the Demimonde and it was mentioned as an example. Demimonde refers to ‘ladies’ in the past, usually Mistresses and Courtesans on the fringe of society. Here is wikipedia’s definition;

Demimondaine was a polite 19th century term that was often used the same way we use the term “mistress” today. Demimonde  primarily referred to a class of women on the fringes of respectable society supported by wealthy lovers (usually each had several). The term is also used to refer to these women as a group, and the social circles they moved in. As a group, the demimonde did not form a ‘society’ any more than modern prostitutes form a society. But they did represent a social class of women in the latter half of the 19th century and into the early 20th century who were commonplace fixtures in the upper class of French, English and, to some extent, American  society. In the United States and Britain, they were (and still are) also often referred to as courtesans, though that term in the 19th century applied to a profession (as the term “prostitute” describes a profession), whereas ‘demimonde’ was used to describe a broader social class, and ‘demimondaine’ a member of that class. The term is French, and means literally “half-world”, implying those women existed on the fringes of the “World” (in the sense of fashionable society). It derives from a comedy by Alexandre Dumas fils  published in 1855 called Le Demi-Monde.

Some things never change and other’s do.  In the 19th century, women had very little choice.  Either get married and therefore be respectable or be a spinster, and still be respectable but pitied.  The other alternative was to be a lady of the night or be a beggar.  And then there was something else… you could a Mistress or a Courtesan, if you had the sufficient education and know-how that is.  In fact women had more freedom as a Courtesan in that era, and the centuries proceeding it than any other women did.

These days however, we have infinitely more choice.  We can have careers, businesses and so on – and still be Courtesans.  I know this word upsets some people – they go into a blind rage at the mere mention of it – (the audacity of moi! – crazy, I know but it probably says more about the ragee* (is that another new word I made up?)  than the person using the word.  Now these ragees* are male and female,  its not gender specific.  They prefer prostitute or some such,  keeps it simple, basic so we all understand where we are,  keeps me in my place too, or more importantly, it makes them feel better,  that kind of thing-  so please look away if you are offended.  I like the word and I think I am entitled to use it, this being a relatively free society and all that.  Courtesan;  nice word.

Anyway, this is the exciting part.  I think that you can straddle society now whilst having a saucy life. Shall we call it the semi-monde?  That is all I am willing to say about the subject but, us ladies, well you find us in the most unexpected places mixing with the great and the good in London ;)

* Ragee or Rager?   Hmm I did have to think about this, but not too long, obviously; there are champagne flutes to be kissed and more importantly there are delectable men to be kissed.  So I decided on Ragee because they are the ones accepting the rage, feeling it. Please tell me if you think I am wrong.