[andi999]

I find the subtitle is weird (at least for the Pippi part):'left propaganda and prudery behind.'. Prudery in my understand mostly refers to a person 'being more uncomfortable than most with sexuality or nudity.'. Maybe it is used in a different sense here, but the Pippi book do not take any position on sexuality or nudity (like Disney in movies, parents are absent (father later joins in)).

[goto11]

Prudery is not specifically about sexuality but more generally being overly concerned about "manners" and "proper behavior", something Pippi completely disregards.

[andi999]

Thanks. It is probably one of the 'false friends' of my language (very similiar word, but more specific meaning). Edit: well at least this dictionary agrees with me:https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/americ...

[twic]

I'm a native English speaker, and i understand "prude" to be mostly related to sex.

[DanBC]

Yes, that's how it's mostly used today. But here are some dictionary definitions.

OED (I've cut the examples)

> prude, a. and n.

> A. adj. That maintains or affects extreme propriety of speech and behaviour, especially in regard to the relations of the sexes; excessively modest, demure, or prim; prudish: usually applied adversely. Now rare.

[...]

> prude, a. and n.

> (pruːd)[a. mod.F. prude adj. and n., said of a woman in same sense as the Eng. (Molière in Littré), in OF. prude, prode, preude, in a laudatory sense, good, virtuous, modest, respectable; either a back-formation from prudefemme (cf. prudhomme) or a later fem. form of prod, pro, pru: see preux, prow a.]

>prude, a. and n.

> B. n. A woman who maintains or affects excessive modesty or propriety in conduct or speech; one who is of extreme propriety: usually applied adversely with implication of affectation.

[...]

> prude, a. and n.

> Hence ˈprudelike a., of the nature of, or characteristic of, a prude; ˈprudely adv., in the manner of a prude.

[...]

> prude, v.

> intr. To conduct oneself in the manner of a prude; to act prudishly. Hence ˈpruding vbl. n.

Websters Revised (1913):

> Prude \Prude\, n. [F., prudish, originally, discreet, modest;

> shortened from OF. prudefeme, preudefeme, a discreet or excellent woman; OF. preu, prou, excellent, brave + de of + fete woman. See {Prow}, a., {Prowess}.] A woman of affected modesty, reserve, or coyness; one who is overscrupulous or sensitive; one who affects extraordinary prudence in conduct and speech.

Chambers:

> prude /prood/

> noun

> 1. A person of priggish or affected modesty

> 2. Someone who has or pretends to have extreme propriety

> adjective ( rare)

> 1. Priggish or affectedly modest

> 2. Claiming extreme propriety

[andi999]

But isnt the article from recent times?

[DanBC]

Yes. Mostly when people say "prude" they are talking about sex, but not always.