Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1907, from the English title of Franz Lehar's operetta "Die Lustige Witwe" (1905). "The Lusty Widow" would have been more etymological (see lust (n.)), but would have given the wrong impression in English. Meaning "a type of wide-brimmed hat" (popularized in the play) is attested from 1908.
Wiktionary
n. A strapless corset with long garters and half cups for the breasts.
Wikipedia
- redirect Corselet
Category:Corsetry Category:Foundation garments
Usage examples of "merry widow".
The bodice of the dress looked very much like a black vinyl merry widow with two thin lines of sheer black cloth that graced her white shoulders more than covered them.
For the part of Mary Howard, alias the Merry Widow, Maddy would rely on the expertise of the makeup artist to turn her into something slick and sultry.
It's rather a long walk, and I suppose I'll have to wash up again before the merry widow will feed me.
Standing alone on a hill in the Grunewald Forest, March listened as the box played the waltz-duet from Act Three of The Merry Widow.
Now he feared he would have a merry widow on his trail, winking and pouting and remarking about his moustache.
All the guests were out, perhaps at Son of the Beast from Outer Space, but from her kitchen Mrs Bamber sang, the merry widow of a tram-driver, a song smelling of oysters and ruby port.
Waltz around back on the carousel to 'Beautiful Ohio' or 'Merry Widow.
Until today, when I saw you get out of the car, I had just about convinced myself that whatever I was, I was not the Merry Widow of fame and legend.