Etymologically
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bonne

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Pronunciation

Forms

bonne f (plural bonnes)[1]

Etymology

It is the feminine of the adjective bon used as a noun, at first as a children's affectionate name for the servant who looked after them.[2][3][4] The adjective continues Latin bonus (“good”).[5][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

Furetière's dictionary (1708 edition) records it as a term of affection, and the Académie (1762) for a woman who looks after children.[2][3][5]

Semantic evolution

From the children's nurse the word passed to any live-in maidservant, bonne à tout faire was the maid who did all the housework, and bonne d'enfants the nursemaid.[2][3] The phrase is now dated, and boniche is a pejorative form.[3] Charles Fourier formed from it bonnin, bonnine for the carers of three-year-olds in his system.[7] Chambre de bonne, the maid's room under the roof, and the retort je ne suis pas ta bonne “I'm not your servant” remain current.[3]

Timeline

  • 1708 – A term of affection, Furetière.[2][3]
  • 1762 – A children's nurse, Académie.[3][5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A maid, a live-in domestic servant: avoir une bonne, chambre de bonne, a maid's room.[3][1][2]
  2. (dated) Bonne à tout faire: a maid of all work, bonne d'enfants, a nursemaid.[3][2]
  3. (familiar) Je ne suis pas ta bonne: I'm not here to wait on you.[3]

Usage notes

Bonne is also the feminine of the adjective bon: elle est bien bonne ! “that's a good one!” (1832).[8][5] À la bonne “in favour” belongs to the adjective.[5][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  5. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  7. ^ Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  8. ^ Quemada, Bernard, ed. (1959–2006), Datations et documents lexicographiques (Base historique du vocabulaire français, BHVF), Paris: Klincksieck / CNRS / Champion; ATILF