E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Saophron.
The girdle worn by Grecian women, whether married or not. The bridegroom loosed the brides girdle, whence to loose the girdle came to mean to deflower a woman, and a prostitute was called a woman whose girdle is unloosed (Γϕϕo).