Word Choice

[debka_notion]

So I was just looking at a recent post of Steve's and I ran across the word "Jewesses" in one of her captions. The context is really pretty irrelevant, as far as I can tell. I was just surprised: I've never heard someone in my age range use that word at all, let alone casually. I mean, it seems like a particular gender distinction that died, somewhere. Rather like poetess, but well, much less romantic sounding, and much more weird-old-stereotype-esque. I just had an odd reaction to the word: I've never seen it used in a contemporary source, and I've never seen it used by someone who is Jewish.