Origin of the Term "Trophy Wife"

[Dunstan]

The New York Times (in an article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/fashion/08JERI.html?ex=1341547200&en=c23452e51fb87e71&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss) discussing Fred Thompson's wife) asserts that

The term “trophy wife” was coined by Fortune magazine in 1989 and immediately entered the language.

This seems dubious to me, but I don't have access to LEXIS. Any language buffs want to take a shot at this?

[Darth Rotor]

The New York Times (in an article (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/fashion/08JERI.html?ex=1341547200&en=c23452e51fb87e71&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss) discussing Fred Thompson's wife) asserts that



This seems dubious to me, but I don't have access to LEXIS. Any language buffs want to take a shot at this?
I'd have thought "Helen of Troy" but I begin to see what you are driving at.

DR

[fuelair]

Can't guarantee the NYT, but in all sources I located, it is said or implied it is American and 1985+. Two sources, one medical bulletin and other Psychology Today (both 2006) have an added and extended meaning that can apply to first wives - selected for accomplishment/ability(in outside world - not as "housewife") and not age/appearance related.

[Puppycow]

Wow, what a beautiful daughter he has.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/07/08/fashion/08fred190.1.jpg
And his granddaughter, isn't she precious?
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/07/08/fashion/08fred190.2.jpg

Family values.
:dl:

[Big Les]

According to this dictionary (http://etymonline.com/?search=trop), it first appears in 1984 (doesn't say where). I suspect it was coined informally before that, and that other "things" have had that prefix applied also.

[Father Dagon]

Didn't Tom Wolfe coin it?

In one of the Aliens comic books, there's a gigant floating city. And that society has a formalized trophy wife system. A man who wants a younger wife can without no explanation declare divorce and marry a trophy wife. The former wifes status and material welfare is guaranteed. As the society is heavily stratified, the rationalize is to make men more competitive as anyone can't have a trophy wife.

[joshbuckley]

Trophy wifes are getting less and less popular than they used to be 5-10 years ago.