Where Does the Term Spinster Come from?

During the late Middle Ages, married tradeswomen had an easier time obtaining higher-status, higher-income work than their unmarried peers. Unmarried women ended up with lower-status, lower-income jobs like combing, carding, and spinning wool—hence "spinster."

When did the word spinster originate?

It was first used in the mid-1300s, though then it literally meant “woman who spins for a living.” In an age where all clothing had to be made by hand and women were empowered as part of guilds, being a spinster wasn't a bad thing.

What is the difference between an old maid and a spinster?

Senior Member. whitney01 said: Maid = An unmarried girl or woman a virgin;A woman servant;A housemaid or chambermaid. Spinster = A woman who has remained single beyond the conventional age for marrying;A single woman; A person whose occupation is spinning.