Where does the Women should be seen not heard phrase come from?

[StormMistress]

Forgive my ignorance but I’ve heard this phrase a lot from various arsehats throughout my life but I’ve never understood where it originated from. Is it an old sexist saying from medieval Europe that refused to die?

[Anonymous]

I’ve never heard that.

It is “CHILDREN should be seen and not heard.” I’ve never heard or seen that phrasing used for women.

Why was the saying used? Because children can make a lot of noise, scream, yell, fuss, but the important thing for a child’s safety is being able to “see” them. If you can lay eyes on them they are probably safe. Also, people didn’t want their children to embarrass them in front of other people, so it was more important for them to be seen, their opinions or conversation were not valued.

[TrueConfection]

Exactly!

[DaveJord]

Actually do any Google search and you will find multiple sources saying the phrase was intended and most pointedly used in reference to young women and only later evoled into children...

Definition: Children can be present in a conversation but should not speak, particularly when they are around adults.

Unlike many idioms in English, the meaning of this proverb is literal. This proverb stems back to the religious views of medieval culture. The initial meaning of this proverb was that young women should not speak in the presence of adults but later evolved to include all children.

[Opinion Owner]

@DaveJord Interesting. I wasn’t aware that it was originally intended for women. Thanks for the info.

[DaveJord]

Well obviously it means that women are good to look at... so they should be seen. But nobody cares what they think, say or complain about so they are best not heard. Yes its a sex phrase.

The expression 'children should be seen and not heard' is an old English proverb, dating from the 15th century. In the original form it was specifically young women who were expected to keep quiet.

[Agape93]

Since ancient times, when men fancied themselves ahead of women, who at least biblically are listed as chattel (property).

They wanted ornamentation, something that looks nice, smells nice, enjoyable to fuck and someone to give them more boys to continue the cycle. So what value in their minds is there for a woman to talk? None. Thus it was discouraged.

[sage2021]

It's true that this saying was meant for children not women. That saying about children should be seen and not heard has been around for over 60 years! It was to stop children from talking during meals as well as being quiet in front of company or in public, etc.

[OlderAndWiser]

The saying is "children should be seen, not heard." Someone has adulterated the adage just for the purpose of yanking your chain. . . apparently, mission accomplished.

[Kaneki05]

It comes from the bible mostly. Also stemming into Islam. But rules of women always been treated different has been a thing forever and appeared before the bible. But as if talking today to as were we keep this saying from Judaism religions.
The saying is also used towards kids.

Because both kids and women in the past had different rights and not seen as equals.

[Sixgunsound]

As an English literature undergrad, I encountered the historically correct ‘children should be seen and not heard’ a fair number of times. Could it be a modern feminist miss interpretation designed to charge up the political base? I’ve never heard of it applied to women before you did just now.

[AydenHazor]

The original saying, while mostly used fit you women, was that children should been, not heard. This dates back to bad theology in medieval times that has been carried forward by societal patriarchy and applied to women as well as children, as if men were somehow superior. It's really all bs coming from men wanting to groom you to be there subservient little plaything

[AviatorTom]

One interpretation is that this comes from the bible, 1 Corinthians 14:34 ,,,

New International Version
"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says."

[Nata2496]

It's possible that it comes from the Bible's teachings on women being silent as opposed to taking authority over men, but I cannot say as I've not heard it much.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Lmaooo that's not the saying, people who say that are just trying to be funny. Try not to take yourself too seriously or you'll become bitter towards people who mean well.

[FilmGuy93]

Actually, the only time I've ever heard anyone say stuff like that is from feminist women who think they're being rebellious by having an opinion.

I've heard that statement about children. Never about women though.

[HighValue]

It was "children should be seen and not heard."
They were not to interrupt adult conversations and were not to start a conversation with an adult unless they were spoken to first.

[MrCommodore]

Was that not a saying by British Royals in 18th & 19th Century regarding Children? I never heard it in reference to women.

[Biancam13]

Yes you're right, I think it could be from Europe and at least a time when women had barely to any rights.

[dorksided1]

Never heard that phrase about woman. I always heard it about kids/children

[normalice]

Guys who were paranoid about losing someone but didn't want to pay any attention to them.

[weysally]

according to my mum, it was first put as, boys should be seen and not heard, from where is unknown

[motownplayer2000]

From the OGs people try to say were the sensible generation.. the older generation where they supposedly had respect for people. They definitely didn’t have respect for women.

[likyulo1962]

It came from the bible, 2nd Corinthians. It was more or less giving rules of how a person should speak in tongue in a church. It was written that the women should remain silent in the church.

[captain_voidwalker]

It never existed, the real phrase was children should be seen not heard. But you know feminists, always looking for something innocuous to complain about

[BlackUrsidae]

From nowhere. The phrase is CHILDREN should be seen not heard. Your version isn't a thing

[Alcoholic_Wannabe]

Technically it came from stupid women.

Us men just took the concept and made a saying out of it lol.

[Pudsmucker]

My grandfather who was born 1890. He said it was children was to seen not heard. When I was a child, a happy woman was to be barefoot & pregnant.

[rabbitzzz]

Probably someone who likes mute women, MILF. Or someone who can't tolerate juicy sweet voices.

[007kingifrit]

some women are astoundingly stupid and constantly need to be heard anyways... like my mom.

i don't want most women to stfu but her? oh yes.

[Anonymous]

It's from God because he favors women. He gives everyone 2

[Anonymous]

It stems from the fact that women are nice to look at but they talk waaaaaaaaay too much.

[IsoUser]

I honestly think that you mistaken the phrase " That children should be seen and not heard "

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

I thought that phrase was for children not women. 😏

[AvaOneLasTime]

Never heard it. Nope, not even once.

[Guardian45]

Prehistoric Neolithic period?

[Irunya41]

I assume just from sexist idiots

[HeartFullOfGlue]

It might've been in some bible

[888theGreat]

The bible , let you women be silent in Church.

[bamesjond0069]

... From someone smart. 😂

[dolemite89]

from a wise man apparently 🤣

[CubaPirate]

I thought that saying referred to children

[Bklynbadboy12]

I've heard of it but it doesn't apply

[dustybiker]

Religion.

[Iron_Man]

That’s for the kids

[SignedAutographs]

No idea!

[Snakeyes7]

It's made up.

[Dinosaursandanime65]

-an arrogant bastard

[msc545]

The Bible perhaps?

[flirtatiousgirl]

I can't it