E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Milliner.
A corruption of Mil’aner; so called from Mil’an, in Italy, which at one time gave the law to Europe in all matters of taste, dress, and elegance.
1
Milliner was originally applied to the male sex; hence Ben Jonson, in Every Man in his Humour, i. 3, speaks of a “milliner’s wife.” The French have still une modiste and un modiste.
Milliner was originally applied to the male sex; hence Ben Jonson, in Every Man in his Humour, i. 3, speaks of a “milliner’s wife.” The French have still une modiste and un modiste.
