The word harlot is defined as a prostitute or promiscuous woman. I chose this word because in my old blog group the theme was scandal and it seems that a lot of the literature we were reading was about harlots and their scandals. This word was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries since prostitution was legal until the contagious diseases acts. After these acts police could arrest harlots making their profession even more scandalous. The word harlot is derived from the word prostitute which comes from the Latin word prostituta. Pro means “up front” and situere means “to sell or to offer up to sale.” The first signs of prostitution being a bad thing in terms of health started back in 1494 when a syphilis break out was starting to occur in Naples. This word would continue to become more and more scandalous in both a social and health related sense. Prostitution would continue to be a problem with passing on disease effecting people’s health. In terms of a social problem men will go see prostitutes and cheat on their wives with them. This gained prostitutes a lot of hate from women. This profession was also frowned upon by society because many of the women would be seen was corrupt or un-pure and no one would want to marry them after just one “one night stand.” The long history of the word and its meanings has brought a ban to the profession and anyone describing themselves with the word is looked down upon by society. People of society do not look deeper into the reasons behind prostitution or why people would title themselves with the word Harlot. Some people are driven to the profession due to a need to survive while others are forced into the business by sex trafficking. I believe people should not be using harlots in the first place and should also consider the reasons behind the choices of the prostitutes.
-Alex Holtman
