ENGLISH
REFERENCE

comfort woman

idiom
Meaning

A woman forced, or supposedly recruited, into brothels by the Japanese occupation forces before or during World War II.


Origin

disputed origin

Calque from Japanese 慰(い)安(あん)婦(ふ) (ianfu).

Examples
SIMPLE

History books describe the tragic lives of every comfort woman.

CONTEXTUAL

Many survivors have shared their painful stories about being forced to serve as a comfort woman during the war.

COMPLEX

The historical record provides harrowing accounts of the systemic abuse suffered by each comfort woman during the period of military occupation.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cold comfort

    Much less reassurance, consolation, aid, or pleasure than one needs or desires.

  2. 02

    comfort girl

    A female sex slave; prostitute.

  3. 03

    comfort zone

    The range of circumstances in which a person feels relaxed or able to cope.

  4. 04

    creature comfort

    Any small item or detail that makes a person feel comfortable and at home.

  5. 05

    dried-fish woman

    A woman, especially a young one, who lacks a significant other.

  6. 06

    make an honest woman

    To marry (a woman), especially if there is an existing sexual relationship.

  7. 07

    other woman

    A woman who is romantically involved with someone (usually a man) already in a committed relationship with another woman, especially a woman having an affair with a married man.

  8. 08

    the old woman is plucking her goose

    It is snowing.

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