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Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France

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HenHanna wrote:


>  > Embonpoint is apparently defined as persons who
>  >                    are considered larger than usual.


>  >>>   I don't know about the English use, but in French it designates a
> stomach larger than usual, typically at a male - the special rounded
> shape that resembles a pregnant woman.   -- Bertel     Kolt, Denmark <<<


> ____________________________

>            [embonpoint]  was once a completely positive term in France. 
> It literally translates to "in good point" and historically conveyed a
>               meaning of healthy weight, fullness, and even prosperity.

> Here's why it was seen positively:

> Scarcity and Strength: In the past, food scarcity was more common.

> Embonpoint indicated someone had access to enough food to be 
> well-nourished and even robust, which was a sign of health and well-being.

> Social Status:         A fuller figure could also suggest wealth and 
> social status. Manual labor was more prevalent, and a thin physique 
> might be associated with the working class. Someone with embonpoint 
> might not have had to engage in strenuous physical activity to survive.

> Over time, perceptions of body image have shifted in France, as elsewhere.

> Today,  embonpoint can still be used in a neutral way, but it can also 
> have a slightly negative connotation, suggesting someone is overweight.
 
> A more positive term for someone who is pleasantly plump might be
>                             **rond(e)  **(round).

"bien-portant", which can refer either to someone who is doing well
or (euphemistically) who is portly is even more positive.


> ______________________________

> The shift likely began sometime in the  19th century  or even earlier.

> Here's why:

> Early Signs:         By the 18th century, there's evidence of some 
> advocating for slimmer figures, particularly among the upper class. This 
> suggests a potential beginning of a shift.


> постепенное изменение (postupannoe izmenenie) ( постепенное изменение is 
> the Russian for gradual change, there is no direct equivalent in English 
> but it conveys the idea of a slow shift over time)


> While a precise date is elusive, the  gradual change  in perception 
> likely happened  between the 18th and 20th centuries.

> ______________________________________

> The American shift in perception happened largely around 1950's-1970's
>                         (the fashion model Twiggy)     (Audrey Hepburn)


> Here's why this era is significant:

> Rise of "The Ideal Figure":               The post-war era (post-WWII) 
> saw a boom in advertising and media.    Images of thinness as the ideal 
> body type for women became increasingly prevalent. Fashion models like 
> Twiggy, known for her slender frame, became cultural icons.

> Focus on Health and Fitness:             There was a growing emphasis on 
> health and fitness during this period. Diet culture started to gain 
> momentum, with a focus on calorie counting and weight loss.

> Shifting Standards of Beauty:             Actresses like Audrey Hepburn, 
> known for her petite figure and gamine look, epitomized the new beauty 
> standard. These cultural influences significantly impacted how Americans 
> perceived healthy and attractive body types.

> While there was certainly some body diversity before the 1950s, the 
> post-war era marked a more concentrated push towards a specific ideal of 
> thinness, particularly for women. This shift continues to influence 
> perceptions of weight in the US today.

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[embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France HenHanna <HenHanna@devnull.tb> - 2024-05-07 16:33 -0700
  Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France bebercito@aol.com (Bebercito) - 2024-05-08 15:49 +0000
    Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France HenHanna <HenHanna@dev.null> - 2024-05-08 19:32 +0000
    Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Hibou <vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid> - 2024-05-09 06:07 +0100
      Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France occam <occam@nowhere.nix> - 2024-05-09 10:55 +0200
  Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France HenHanna <HenHanna@dev.null> - 2024-05-10 19:19 +0000
    Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France bebercito@aol.com (Bebercito) - 2024-05-11 05:25 +0000
      Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France HenHanna <HenHanna@dev.null> - 2024-05-11 07:32 +0000
        Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France HenHanna <HenHanna@devnull.tb> - 2024-06-15 17:42 -0700
          Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> - 2024-06-16 11:29 +1000
            Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France HenHanna <HenHanna@dev.null> - 2024-06-16 03:24 +0000
              Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France HenHanna <HenHanna@dev.null> - 2024-06-16 05:07 +0000
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> - 2024-06-16 15:28 +1000
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Julien ÉLIE <iulius@nom-de-mon-site.com.invalid> - 2024-06-16 09:08 +0200
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France HenHanna <HenHanna@devnull.tb> - 2024-06-16 00:44 -0700
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Hibou <vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid> - 2024-06-16 09:03 +0100
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> - 2024-06-16 19:41 +1000
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Aidan Kehoe <kehoea@parhasard.net> - 2024-06-16 19:26 +0100
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Aidan Kehoe <kehoea@parhasard.net> - 2024-10-27 11:43 +0000
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Bertel Lund Hansen <rundtosset@lundhansen.dk> - 2024-10-27 19:53 +0100
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org> - 2024-10-28 12:43 +1100
                Re: [embonpoint] was once a completely positive term in France Aidan Kehoe <kehoea@parhasard.net> - 2024-10-28 18:47 +0000

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