Grecian bend

plural Grecian bends

1. archaicinformalAmong women, a posture once regarded affected,the upper body being inclined forward.

   his hump was subdued into a Grecian bend, and his lack-lustre eyes seemed beaming with tenderness and admiration.

   1826–1827, [Benjamin Disraeli], Vivian Grey, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC

   3 more examples

   They nodded affably when Fanny introduced her, said something civil, and made room for her at the table round which they sat waiting for Monsieur. Several of the more frolicsome wore imitating the Grecian Bend, some were putting their heads together over little notes, nearly all were eating confectionery, and the entire twelve chattered like magpies.

   1869–1870, Louisa M[ay] Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl, Boston, Mass.: Roberts Brothers, published 1870, →OCLC

   'If your niminy-piminy girls could see them run, they would stop tilting through the streets, and learn that the true Grecian Bend is the line of beauty always found in straight shoulders, well-opened chest, and an upright figure, firmly planted on active feet.'

   1882, Louisa M. Alcott, Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag VI

   Learn the smooth mincing walk on four inch Louis XV heels, the Grecian bend with provoking croup, the thighs fluescent, knees modestly kissing.

   1922 February 2, James Joyce, Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC

2. archaicinformalAn exaggerated bustle (frame worn underneath a woman's skirt), the effect of which is generally assisted by high-heeled boots.

   1 more example

   I reckon that, by and by, they will begin and make fashions to suit themselves, and will not be under the necessity of sending to Paris or to the East to find out the fashions or to find out whether they shall make their Grecian bends one-half, two-thirds or one-third as large as in New York; or whether they shall cut a frock so as to show their garters every step or to drag yards on the ground behind them.

   1871, Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, volume 13, Gathering the Saints