Who is an “Old Maid”?

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVIII, 31 October 1903, Page 63

Who is an “Old Maid”?

The old maid limit has been fixed. For many years there was nothing settled or definite about it. Everyone was well aware of an age line, beyond which an unmarried woman was an old maid, and within which she was a young one, out just what that age was remained a mystery. From a woman’s viewpoint it was very apt to vary with her own age. In both masculine and feminine minds it was a line purely imaginary, like tne Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. But now comes a decision upon the subject from no less an authority than the French courts, fixing the limit at 30 years. So far. at least, as France is concerned, it is not only definite but final. At 29 years 11 months and 29 days a woman is still a young maid; fortyeight or twenty-four hours later and she is an old one. The way that the matter happened to go to court at all. and so become settled, is as follows: A certain "Old Maids’ Home” in France found itself overrun with applicants of all ages and sizes, the term "old maid” seeming to have no terrors for them when it comprehended so much in the way of leisure and shelter that was to be had for nothing. The managers of the home, in order to protect themselves, were therefore obliged to fix an age limit, and that this might be accomplished definitely and authoritatively, the courts were asked to determine it. After weighty and due consideration this body put the limit at 30 years.