I got you babe

[lovelylad]

When did the now ubiquitous 'babe' first enter the English language?

[incitatus]

At least the 14th century. Carols such as "A babe in swaddling gown" have been around for as long as that. Its more modern application to women dates from the beatniks, I think.

[lovelylad]

Thanks, incitatus. I did mean specifically in the latter sense. beats, huh? They seem to have been responsible for a great deal of modern jargon.