Fleshpots, thanks. I have just belatedly checked Chambers - and was relieved that my housewife is totally fine! It's listed, after Vrouw as '(esp of Afrikaners in South Africa) a woman, goodwife housewife. [Dutch]'.
Thanks, Matakari. I think we were all quite happy to ignore your 29 D, but I was puzzled about your '...the other one parses better'. That made no sense to me!