I've heard that story as well, but I've never heard any proof. It smacks of myth to me as well. My guess would be that the staircases were designed that way more as a reflection of the (often) symmetrical design of (often) Greek Revival architecture found in southern states, both from an exterior viewpoint, and in its floor plan. 

A look into a good field guide to American Architecture might help shed further light on that myth.

Just my two cents for what they're worth.

Dan

Dan Schoeneberg
Experience Research Manager

Conner Prairie
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>>> [log in to unmask] 02/15/07 10:24AM >>>
Over on ADS-L, one of the academics got a query from one of 
(lazy-butt) Safire's assistants on the phrase "show ankle." The 
academic tried to relate it to historic dress codes and mores and 
mentioned visiting a historic Southern house where there were two 
parallel/symmetrical staircases and was told by the guide that one 
was for ladies and the other was for men so that the men couldn't 
catch sight of the ladies' ankles. What little I know of the period 
clothing and architecture, it smacks of a "myth" to me. Is there any 
evidence to support the guide's claim? Has this story been debunked 
somewhere?

---Amy West

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