“There is no real difference at all between a lady-wife of high degree dishonest of her body if she be, and some poor wench, no difference at all but this: That if so be they both should go amiss - That since the gentlewoman ranks above she therefore will be called his ‘lady-love’ Whereas that other woman, being poor will be referred to as his wench or whore.”

The Manciple, The Canterbury Tales b Geoffrey Chaucer.