placewoman

9.9

A woman put into a job because of connections rather than ability

noun
/ˈpleɪsˌwʊmən/

Offensive

: enchufada

He dismissed her achievements, unfairly labeling her as a mere placewoman in the organization.

Examples

The board was dominated by placewomen who were appointed based on connections rather than qualifications.
The board was dominated by placewomen and placemen with little independent authority.
Many critics argue that she is just a placewoman serving the interests of the party leadership.
She is a placewoman.
Don't call her a placewoman!
He dismissed her achievements, unfairly labeling her as a mere placewoman in the organization.
Many critics argue that she is just a placewoman serving the interests of the party leadership.

Surface Forms

placewoman singular

placewomen plural

Morphology

placewoman = place + woman (semi-transparent) = place + woman

The compound 'place' + 'woman' clearly signals a woman holding a position, but the disparaging nuance (appointed through connections rather than merit) is a sociopolitical inference not directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Placewoman comes from place 'position' and woman. It originally meant a woman who was 'placed' into a job by friends or leaders rather than because of skill, so it often has a negative meaning about getting a post through connections.