An idle thought - womanish versus womanly

[broguemum]

Why is one insulting and the other complimentary? Any thoughts from the wise pedants of mumsnet?

I think the sh sounds hard and the ly sounds soft and rounded and perhaps busty!

I like your theory but what about mannish and manly?

is womanish a real word ? It doesn't sound right to me.

[realises she is probably in wrong place]

I am thinking of insults in Victorian dramas such as, "Desist with your womanish vapours!" and also, "She had a mannish figure."

'Twas an idle thought .

I am thinking of childish and childlike. One sounds negative, the other positive, I can see where you are coming from, broguemum.

I think it is one of those irregular verbs. I am in touch with my inner child; you are childlike; (s)he is childish.

Good theory DadInsteadofMum but does not really answer why one is insulting and the other complimentary. I am perplexed. I will also have to go and google irregular verbs now...