I came across an add of a visiting escort several months ago, who advertises herself as a "Courtesean", which by definition is a "high class" prostitute.   The name was supposedly derived somewhere in the Middle Ages or Renaissance Period.   This woman is setting herself up for disaster.   A piece of cake arrest and conviction for Law Enforcement.   I don't understand some people, really, how stupid can you be???   Some people really aren't operating with a full deck.

I have to agree with you.  They must be needing some cash fast

When I first discovered "this world", I was intrigued by a lady who called herself a courtesan and looked it up (in the dictionary, and yes, I viewed her site...hehe)

After I read the definition, I decided against use of the term...however, it has such a nice ring to it...To me, it evokes visions of romance, passion and nobility; a bold claim nonetheless. However, it may be the lady did not realize the implications and/or consequences of using the word...Many of us understand terms via context and perception (and at times, incorrect usage of "ten cent" words)

I see where you're coming from and I do agree it may not be a good idea. Definitely, should the lady encounter any legality issues resulting from the ad, it's a given this would be "exhibit A"! Thus a disadvantage, no doubt.

I would like to point out that simply presenting and/or creating and sharing the "ad" (I would call it "cyber expression") is not illegal. (It might even be interesting to research birth records to see if anyone is legally named Courtesan...) If I'm not mistaken, (although I may be as I'm nowhere near an attorney!) such expressions are protected by our First Amendment Rights..."Congress shall make no law respecting...abridging the freedom of speech..."

Abridge Definition

a⋅bridge  /əˈbrɪdʒ/–verb (used with object) a⋅bridged, a⋅bridg⋅ing
1. to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents: to abridge a reference book.  
2. to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail: to abridge a visit; to abridge one's freedom.  
3. to deprive; cut off.

I choose definition #3 even though the reference infers #2 to define 'abridge' in context with freedom. "Give an inch, they'll take a mile"

I refuse to budge (give the in.) but I see examples all over (esp. since Tipper) of "minor" infringements of this..rated "r", explicit lyrics, certain artistic expressions banned etc&etc...(I say minor because it may not be important enough to affect us much, it's the
reduction bit by bit)

The way I see it (a couple of ways, actually)Maybe it's time to redefine "old days" frame of mind that brought us to the present here, now, yes this is the present, this second, now the next one and on and on and on...I mean right now!

I digress(the other part coming next) but in writing this I just realized, "Is this not what we're searching for...to capture the present..'live in/for the moment(s)'?" Ever wish time would slow or stop or an experience that made you wish would last forever?

We reflect on the past and plan for the future, yet we live in "now"...

Anyway, as we redefine, it's important to remember where we started. Declaration of Independence, Constitution & Bill of Rights. As far as I'm concerned, that's the base and supreme doctrine. Everything else is just complicated jibberish telling me how I "should" live...Using "shall" and holding me accountable for my way. Lawmakers miss the point (or there are other reasons) when they write up statutes to attempt to encompass what "they" think is "how" it should be...I wonder, do they really think a law will change the way people think or/and choose? Or is it just a way to inconvenience, harass and mark one for life? Laws don't "make it so" or prevent crime, more laws=more crime, simple as that.

All the legislation created after our nation's inception has grown more and more complex, more vague fortunately, yet interpreted narrowly (and from prosecution's perspective). Fortunate because it can be interpreted to aid defense, but that may take a real fight, not to mention can the jury be convinced?

So, long story short
Courtesan is not the best word to use in advertising, but it sure is efficient. Maybe it's time to redefine eh?

From the Italian cortigiana, means prostitue and it's the feminine term of cortigiano, literally meaning "one attached to the court" (1549) and stems from the Latin word cortem (court)...who knows how old that word is!?!

Courtesan is a word (as old as it is, this is surprising) that has no variation in it's definition. Prostitute, harlot, woman who prostitutes herself for hire (redundant this)
are the additional meanings, yet the first definition was somewhat better because it infers one who associates with noblemen or men of wealth.

Simply, if one reads definitions of words, there are many that have several different meanings...(try it sometime, wink)
A good example is court..(see link)court of law, court a mate(animal & human), tennis court...



Justice is just us...and freedom ain't free

Preamble:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Here's to forming a more perfect union and the Blessings of Liberty

QnQ

Many gals brand themselves as courteseans, either rightly or wrongly, but I've never heard of someone being dragging into a court room and charged with that as an offense.

(still not a lawyer)

Even if that translation were true, it's not an automatic conviction.  LE would still need to get the offer of sex for money.  
skb

Courtesan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A courtesan was originally a woman courtier, which means a person who attends the court of a monarch or other powerful person[1]. In feudal society, the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together. In Renaissance Europe, courtiers played an extremely important role in upper-class society. As it was customary during this time for royal couples to lead separate lives — commonly marrying simply to preserve bloodlines and to secure political alliances — men and women would often seek gratification and companionship from people living at court. In fact, the verb "to court" originally meant "to be or reside at court", and later came to mean "to behave as a courtier" and then "to pay amorous attention to somebody"[2]. The most intimate companion of a ruler was called the favourite.

As a result, in Renaissance usage, the Italian word "cortigiana", feminine of "cortigiano" (courtier) came to refer to "the ruler's mistress", and then to a well-educated and independent woman of free morals, eventually a trained artisan of dance and singing, especially one associated with wealthy, powerful, or upper-class men who provided luxuries and status in exchange for companionship[3]. The word was borrowed by English from Italian through the French form "courtisane" during the 16th century, especially associated to the meaning of "court-mistress" and "prostitute"[4].

There's a great deal more...

she is merely implying she has some class & the word sounds more proper & formal. as in "courting"

however,
IF there were to be an arrest,LE will desperatly scour through to find any drop of a word to create a case.  

IE: The scoundral cop actually try to say by using the term "hook up"
as in
"we can hook up at noon for lunch " was proof of intent of a 647b.....OMG

Mr Fisher, spot on, as always.

You can say pretty much what ever you want in an ad.  But if you do get arrested, the prosecuter will show the jury you advertising yourself as a prostitute.  Not concrete evidence against you, but the jury are people who can read between the lines.

-- Modified on 5/13/2009 9:22:06 PM

if LE is going to bust someone.. it will not only because of the words they use.. but the action the perform

to accompanying another, give protection.

NOT to confuse with "call girl"

I think the point is that LE will use any bit of nothing to create a case

If the cop says something inappropriate and the lady "giggles"  trust me that will be in the LE report. LE will argue that uncomfortable,nervous, innocent "giggle" was some sort of affirmation.

yes, a disgrace,
How many children are harmed/adbudcted each day? and this is what is going on in LE. shameful indeed.