saleswoman
(ˈseɪlzˌwʊmən)
A woman who sells goods (e.g. in a shop).
| 1704 Lond. Gaz. No. 4025/4 Ann Scadding, of the Parish of St. Buttolp Aldgate, Saleswoman. 1880 Libr. Univ. Knowl. (U.S.) VIII. 800 In 1790 [she] went to Paris, where she was a saleswoman in a linen shop. 1887 Old Man's Favour I. ii. i. 204 The stall was well-furnished, the saleswoman was pretty and animated. 1916 D. H. Lawrence Amores 97 She puts me away like a saleswoman whose mart is Endangered by the pilferer on his quest. 1932 L. Golding Magnolia St. iii. vi. 548 She's one of the leading saleswomen in our firm. |
Hence ˈsaleswomanship, the position of a saleswoman; the character of being a (good) saleswoman.
| 1973 M. Amis Rachel Papers 28 Gloria held the assistant pet-food saleswomanship in, handily, a Shepherds Bush emporium. 1977 Church Times 29 Apr. 11/2, I felt that a little saleswomanship might be a good thing. |