ecdysiast
(ɛkˈdɪzɪæst)
[f. Gr. ἔκδυσις (see ecdysis) + -αστής, after type ἐνθουσιαστής.]
A strip-teaser. Hence ecˈdysiasm, the activity or occupation of strip-teasing. Also fig.
| 1940 Mencken Let. 5 Apr. in Amer. Lang. Suppl. I. (1945) vi. vi. 585 It might be a good idea to relate strip-teasing in some way..to the associated zoölogical phenomenon of molting... A resort to the scientific name for molting, which is ecdysis, produces both ecdysist and ecdysiast. 1947 I. Brown Say the Word 50 And there we can leave the problems and pride of ecdysiasm. 1957 Times Lit. Suppl. 11 Oct. 611/2 As happily sustained a piece of autobiographical ecdysiasm as we remember. 1958 Time 7 July 44/1 Is it possible for a nightclub to lose money with famed Ecdysiast Sherry Britton stripping to bugle beads and pearls? |