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Tea hostess vs Tea lady

tea hostess—a woman in charge of serving tea at a tea-party or other social occasion:

  • Mrs. Bowhill acted as model for the evening dress. Tea hostesses were Mrs. Kedge and Mrs. Williams.

tea lady—(also: tea girl) a woman employed to make and serve tea in an office:

  • Two years ago, it seemed the ubiquitous tea lady was vanishing beneath a tide of vending machines.