Literally discriminating against single women

Consider these words from Roget’s Thesaurus under the headings relating to
marriage:

partnered, paired, mated, matched, tied, spliced, hitched, in double harness, espoused, wedded, united, made man and wife, made one, joined in holy matrimony, ‘bone of one’s bones and flesh of one’s flesh’, monogamous, just married, newly married, newly wed, honeymooning, find a husband, ask for the hand of, quit the single state, renounce bachelorhood, take the plunge, get married, accept a proposal, one’s promised, bride, nuptials, plight one’s troth, become engaged, engagement ring, lead to the altar, walk down the aisle, wedding day, say ‘I do’, betroth, affiance, espouse, bestow in marriage, join in marriage, make fast in wedlock, declare man and wife, join, tie the knot, love, be loved, pair off, mate, couple, co-habit, live together, set up house together, share bed, live as man and wife, marry well, make a good match, make love, wedded bliss, conjugal, partner, friend, other half, beloved, dearest, true love, love match, love of my life, have and to hold, adore, worship, only have eyes for, live for, passion, love to distraction, fancy, be sweet on, carry a torch for, crazy over, woo, court, captivate, desire, the one, darling, sweetheart, cherish, embrace, husband and wife, couple, two, pair, partnership, team, union, better half, soul mate, alliance, spouse, life partner, Mr and Mrs, wedding ring, marriage.

This list is all very cosy with a touch of smugness about it. Now consider the words to describe

an unmarried woman:

unmarried, femme sole, solo, unwed, maid unwed, unpartnered, single, lonely-heart, available, one, mateless, unmated, spouseless, husbandless, unwooed, unloved, unasked, on the shelf, free, past sell-by date, Bridget Jones, uncaught, heart-whole, fancy-free, independent, maidenly, old maid, maiden aunt, virgin, virginal, virgo intacta, pure, spinster, spinsterlike, spinsterish, old-maidish, bachelor girl, celibate, nunnish, live single, stay unmarried, live in single blessedness, not the marrying kind, singleton, recluse, refuse marriage, refuse all offers, keep heart-whole, remain fancy-free, have no offers, receive no proposals, live like a hermit, take the veil.

It makes you want to scream! There are fewer words to describe the single state, but they are so harsh! It would seem that even the English language in all its richness, has it in for the single person.

Read on if you are trying to move away from the real or conceptual portrayal of the single woman. Hopefully, you will find consolation, inspiration and practical advice within these pages.