Jenny lʹOuvrière

A generic name for a hard-working, poor, but contented needlewoman. The name was devised by Emile Barateau, and rendered popular by his song so called.

“Entendez-vous un oiseau familier?

Cʹest le chanteur de Jenny lʹOuvriere.

Au cœur content, content de peu

Elle pourrait être riche, et préfère

Ce qui vient de Dieu.”

(1847.)

· ·

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.