Dictionary

Stepford en · PROPN · etymology 1

Etymology

Etymology tree English step Proto-Indo-European *per- Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Indo-European *pértus Proto-Germanic *furduz Proto-West Germanic *furdu Old English ford English ford English Stepford From step + ford.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) A surname.
2. (countable, uncountable) A placename
3. (countable, uncountable) A placename: ▸ A locality in Dumfries and Galloway council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NX8681).

Forms

Stepford en · ADJ · etymology 2

Etymology

From the fictional place name Stepford. After the fictional suburb in the 1972 novel The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin, and in two films of the same name based on the novel.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Docile, unthinking and conformist.
   • “He called you a boring Stepford wife.” A boring Stepford wife, Molly thought. For a moment it seemed to her that she was once more in prison, eating the tasteless food, hearing the click of locks, lying awake for sleepless night after sleepless night. 1999, Mary Higgins Clark, We'll Meet Again, page 131:
   • Were the Nazis trying to infiltrate the U.S. Navy with an army of gonorrhea-infected Stepford clones? 2011 July 18, Matt Culkin, “The 16 Most Hilariously Dishonest Old School Advertisements”, Cracked.com
   • So, when in a dorky Christmas town with Stepford people and themed shops, do as they do. Smile and act like you gave two shits about the person next to you. 2008, Karin Tabke, Have Yourself a Naughty Little Santa, page 150:
2. (not-comparable) Attractive but lacking any character.
   • The woman seated behind the table looked up at him, smiling a Stepford smile. "Would you like to buy a chance to win a new Blazer? It's only five dollars." Rich shook his head, moved away from the table. "Not today." 1993, Bentley Little, The Summoning, New York: Kensington Publishing Company, →ISBN, page 170:

Relateds

Deppford wife · Stepfordian · Stepfordesque · Stepford wife

wikipedia: Ira Levin · wikipedia: The Stepford Wives