comely maidens

Etymology
Incorrectly attributed to a speech by Irish statesman. A longer version is often misquoted as "comely maidens, dancing at the crossroads". The actual phrase, delivered in a radio broadcast on St. Patrick's Day 1943, mentions "the laughter of happy maidens, whose firesides would be forums for the wisdom of serene old age." See Wikipedia article.

Noun

 * 1)  An outdated stereotype of Irish women; used as a reference to misogynistic opinions.
 * He was surprised to see so many women workers. What did he expect, comely maidens?