Our director just called our administrative assistent his “gal friday.” After I explained the meaning of the term she wanted to know the origin. I assume it has something to do with Robinson Crusoe, but I thought I’d come here for the straight dope.
“Girl Friday” is a derivation of Robinson Crusoe’s “Man Friday”. From here:
Q: Who was the most efficient person in history?
A: Robinson Crusoe, because all his work was always done by Friday.
I think “man/gal Friday” also implies someone who is capable and willing to do any sort of job, that is an all-purpose assistant.
What about Man Sunday? Don’t tell me where they put the banana.
Is the term really disfavored now? I guess I can see that, although I’m not at all confident in the source Johnny quotes. For one thing, I’m doubtful that the term comes from the film and not vice versa. Moreover, I think the most common version (as applied to females) is gal Friday, not girl Friday. (Witness the OP.) The difference between the standard usage and the usage in the film could cut either way, I think, but since the source doesn’t even recognize the alternate (IMO preferred) version I wouldn’t be surprised if their research is not complete.
–Cliffy
Surely the point of the title “His Girl Friday” was that it was a joke - wordplay on the established “man Friday”. I don’t see any reason to disagree with the dictionary, Cliffy.
Reread Johnny L.A.'s cite. It said
(Interior bolding is mine–sc)
You are correct in that the term did NOT come from the 1940 film. But that immensely popular film popularized it.
Cary Grant made a film in 1936 with Joan Bennett called “Big Brown Eyes.” Bennett(I assume, as I haven’t seen it) was the “girl Friday” to a famous Broadway columnist. So “girl Friday” was around before the 1940 movie.
To your defense, I just read a 1932 Walter Winchell column which ended with “your gal Friday” referring to a secretary.
The jury may still be out on which came first.