Mostly based on lexicographic evidence - approximately seventy dictionaries were consulted - this contribution is an attempt to narrate the quincentennial transatlantic journey undertaken by the word stiletto, now referring to a globally-recognized emblem of femininity, eroticism and fetish. Occasionally, even the analysis of a single lexical item may in fact reveal unforeseen developments in the evolution of looks and styles and their attendant vocabulary: this enquiry indeed shows how in time stiletto may be interpreted as a false Italianism, as a reborrowing and as an internationalism. In spite of the fact that fashion lexicon, due to its close bond with the culture of mass consumption, is mostly short-lived, stiletto heels represent one of those rare instances where must-have cult objects, ladies shoes in this case, rightfully become members of the collective cultural and linguistic heritage, thus being permanently associated to the vogue of a certain époque.

Chronicling a Global Fetish: A Linguistic Analysis of the Pseudo-Italian Internationalism Stiletto

Cristiano Furiassi
2019-01-01

Abstract

Mostly based on lexicographic evidence - approximately seventy dictionaries were consulted - this contribution is an attempt to narrate the quincentennial transatlantic journey undertaken by the word stiletto, now referring to a globally-recognized emblem of femininity, eroticism and fetish. Occasionally, even the analysis of a single lexical item may in fact reveal unforeseen developments in the evolution of looks and styles and their attendant vocabulary: this enquiry indeed shows how in time stiletto may be interpreted as a false Italianism, as a reborrowing and as an internationalism. In spite of the fact that fashion lexicon, due to its close bond with the culture of mass consumption, is mostly short-lived, stiletto heels represent one of those rare instances where must-have cult objects, ladies shoes in this case, rightfully become members of the collective cultural and linguistic heritage, thus being permanently associated to the vogue of a certain époque.
2019
9
2
103
121
https://zmj.unibo.it/article/view/10041/10156
False Italianism, fashion, fetish, internationalism, reborrowing
Cristiano Furiassi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1720477
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