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1889 magazine asked women why they were 'spinsters' and got incredibly savage responses

A magazine from 1889 had an idea of allotting a prize to the woman who gave the best response to 'Why am I a Spinsiter?' and the women did not disappoint.

1889 magazine asked women why they were 'spinsters' and got incredibly savage responses
Representative Cover Image Source: A Merry Tale, Printed 1889-1891. Creator: Henry Peach Robinson. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
GOOD Staff
By GOOD StaffJul 18, 2024
GOOD Staff
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Today, many people cherish the luxury of staying single, free from societal pressures to marry or find a partner. However, in the past, marriage, especially for women, was the norm, with many starting families in their prime years (20-30). A single woman often faced scrutiny. Dr. Bob Nicholson (@DigiVictorian) shared a hilarious incident on X about an 1889 magazine that asked single women why they were "spinsters." The women’s responses were hilariously savage.

Representative Image Source: French Women Ironing , 1889. Found in the collection of Ateneum, Helsinki. Artist Wasastjerna, Torsten (1863-1924). (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images)Representative Image Source: French Women Ironing, 1889. Found in the collection of Ateneum, Helsinki. Artist Wasastjerna, Torsten (1863-1924). (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images)

From blunt honesty to sharp facts, the women's responses were spot on and still resonate today. Dr. Bob Nicholson noted that the magazine offered prizes to women who provided the best answers to why they were single. “In 1889, Tit-Bits magazine offered prizes to single, female readers who sent in the best answers to the question: ‘Why Am I A Spinster?’” the caption read. Women revealed some of the most hilariously ruthless reasons for the same. He also clarified in a thread, "The numbers after the women's names don't refer to their age - it's the house number from their address. No 8-year-old 'spinster' here!" 

1. Not quite the charmers

Image Source: X| @DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

2. Marriage is an 'electric battery' 

Image Source: XImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

3. Oh the monopoly 

Image Source: X | @DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

4. Live young and free like a 'wild mustang' 

Image Source: X|@DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

5. Truth be told and how!

Image Source: X|@DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

6. You tell them, girl!

Image Source: X|@DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

7. This one's relatable 

Image Source: X|@DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

8. Animals over man 

Image Source: X|@DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

9. Patiently waiting

Image Source: X|@DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

10. Just fate

Image Source: X|@DigiVictorianImage Source: X | @DigiVictorian

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