And the Male Equivalent of “Diplomatic Debutante” Is?

Posted on December 6, 2006 by Ann Bartow

From the NYT’s caption for this photo:

royal.jpg
“Ségolène Royal, the Socialist candidate for French president, learned that the Middle East can be dangerous for a diplomatic debutante.”

And the first sentence of the associated article, entitled “A Candidate Abroad, or an Innocent Abroad?” is: “The Middle East can be a dangerous place for the diplomatic debutante.” Should be be glad the NYT isn’t referring to her as a “diplomatic virgin” or “diplomatette” as well?

–Ann Bartow

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0 Responses to And the Male Equivalent of “Diplomatic Debutante” Is?

  1. pearlg says:
    December 6, 2006 at 7:24 pm

    The term novice is often used. I’m not sure you can fault them for finding a bit of clever alliteration.

  2. Ann Bartow says:
    December 6, 2006 at 8:34 pm

    I guess “clever” would be one way to characterize it, but certainly not the only way.