Grande dame

Grande dame

A grande dame is a stock character designed to represent a stereotype of an elderly high society socialite.

In popular culture, the grande dame is usually portrayed as a slightly flamboyant woman, prone to extravagant and eccentric fashion, such as feather boas, large hats, and excessive costume jewelry. She may be overly pre-occupied with the concept of "acting ladylike" and expect all those around her to conform to her own high standards of etiquette.

Famous characters of this model include: Mrs. Peacock in the Cluedo (known as Clue in North America) board game, Princess Dragomiroff in Murder on the Orient Express, Clara Cluck in the Disney cartoons, and Lucille Bluth from Arrested Development.

By extension, the term is used to refer to older formerly posh hotels that have not kept up with modern conveniences.


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  • Grande Dame — (aus dem Französischen) bezeichnet eine Bühnengestalt, die eine wohlhabende, welterfahrene Frau verkörpert. Im kulturellen Leben der Gesellschaft nennt man Grande Dame eine ältere Künstlerin, die vermöge ihrer Lebensleistung, ihres… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Grande Dame — [grã:d dam ], die; , s s [grã:d dam] [frz., zu: grand = groß ↑ (Grandeur) u. dame, ↑ 1Dame]: Grand Old Lady: die G. D. der österreichischen Literatur. * * * Grande Dame [ɡrã:d dam], die; , s s [frz., aus: grand = groß (↑Grandeur) u. dame, Dame]:… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • grande dame — a highly resonant term for an influential woman within a particular sphere, was borrowed from French in the 18c and is now sufficiently naturalized to be printed in ordinary roman type. The term is often used in the context of celebrated members… …   Modern English usage

  • Grande Dame — [grã:d dam ], die; , s s [grã:d dam] <französisch> (Grand Old Lady) …   Die deutsche Rechtschreibung

  • grande dame — ► NOUN ▪ a woman who is influential within a particular sphere. ORIGIN French, grand lady …   English terms dictionary

  • grande dame — [gränd däm] n. [Fr, great lady] a woman, esp. an older one, of great dignity or prestige …   English World dictionary

  • grande dame — /gran dam , daym /; Fr. /grddahonnd dannm /, pl. grandes dames /gran damz , daymz /; Fr. /grddahonnd dannm /. 1. a usually elderly woman of dignified or aristocratic bearing. 2. a woman who is the doyenne of a specific field: a grande dame of the …   Universalium

  • grande dame —    (granh DAHM) [French] A great lady; a dignified and aristocratic older woman, or one who has achieved eminence in a specific field of endeavor.    For a decade she was the reigning grande dame of Wagnerian opera …   Dictionary of foreign words and phrases

  • Grande dame d'un jour — La Grande Dame d un jour La Grande Dame d un jour (Lady For a Day) est un film américain de Frank Capra sorti en 1933. Sommaire 1 Synopsis 2 Fiche technique 3 Distribution 4 Lien ex …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Grande Dame d'un jour — Lady for a Day    Comédie de Frank Capra, avec Warren William (Dave the Dude), May Robson (Apple Annie), Guy Kibbee («juge» Blake), Glenda Farrell (Missouri Martin), Ned Sparks (Happy McGuire), Jean Parker (Louise), Walter Connolly (comte Romero) …   Dictionnaire mondial des Films

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