Sapphism etymology

Etymology:

• "Sapphism" is derived from the name of the ancient Greek poet Sappho, who is identified as the earliest prominent female poet in Western literature.

Meaning:

• Sapphism refers to female homosexuality or lesbianism.

Origin:

• The term "Sapphism" was coined in the 19th century by the German psychologist Richard von Krafft-Ebing in his book "Psychopathia Sexualis."
• Von Krafft-Ebing used the term to describe a form of sexual inversion in women that was characterized by a desire for other women.
• The term has since been used as a descriptor for lesbianism, although it is now often considered outdated and stigmatizing.

Historical Context:

• In ancient Greece, female homosexuality was not explicitly condemned or celebrated. Sappho herself wrote poetry expressing her love for women, but her work was later reinterpreted by Christian scholars as being about male friendship or heterosexual love.
• During the Victorian era in the 19th century, female homosexuality was considered a taboo subject. Von Krafft-Ebing's use of the term "Sapphism" reflected the prevailing medical and social attitudes toward homosexuality as a mental disorder.
• In the 20th and 21st centuries, the term "Sapphism" has been largely replaced by the term "lesbianism," which is now more widely accepted as a non-pathological sexual orientation.

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