Regency Reader Questions: Chaperone Slang

What is the slang for a chaperone? Can’t remember. It is a short word.

Thank you for the question, Julia!

I have seen the word abigail, which was more commonly a reference to a lady’s maid but might also be used to imply chaperone, used on occasion:

The British American Magazine (1864)

There was also some adoption of the word dueña, but written in English as duenna, to imply a particularly strict chaperone as it was inferred the Spanish traditions for chaperonage were more strict.

Chaperon came from the French term meaning “protector”, which originated in the 13th century as a term for a hood or cowl.  It is often erroneously spelled as chaperone (which is why I use the terms interchangably), but chaperone now has a more specific meaning.

I asked on Twitter if anyone else had ideas about what terms you may be thinking of.  Duenna was one response, as well as gooseberry (play gooseberry means to act as a chaperone to a courting couple).  The origins of using gooseberry in this way are a bit murky, but one Twitter friend cited an article that lists its earliest use in 1837, so early Victorian era.  This reference also uses the shortened term “gubbs” for go-between or gooseberry.

Other suggestions included bear leader (which meant by the 19th century a tutor or guardian for a young man of rank), and several general terms for women.

I am not aware of any other slang terms for chaperon/e based on my readings, resources, or a search.  Maybe other readers have some ideas (Please post them in the comments below).

Regency Reader Questions: On Chaperones – Regency Reader (regrom.com)