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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