This can apply also if the man had to marry for reasons of honor - or state. Never marrying after the intended bridegroom of an Arranged Marriage died may be regarded as honorable if it was a love match, it may be regarded as romantic. While not invariable, the reasons for their never marrying may bring them more or less sympathy. Nosy parents who are wanting for grandkids or are worried about their child's happiness are a rife source of this, as well. Reference will often be made to cats, homely appearance, detestable demeanor, being a lesbian, loneliness, and uselessness. The insult is still used today, along with the just-as-insulting 'spinster', but mostly as a generic inflammatory comment towards women that the speaker doesn't like. A woman doesn't even have to be called an old maid outright to be threatened even the hint that someday she might become an old maid - usually because she's not acting in a sufficiently conformist way - is enough to make her either conform or fall into despair. The underlying assumption is, of course, that a woman's value exists only in how successfully she serves and pleases her husband and family, so a woman who is unable to snag a husband is a pathetic worthless failure at life who deserves contempt and ridicule, particularly in older stories from times where traditional gender roles were more strongly enforced. When a single female character reaches a certain vaguely-defined age threshold (anywhere from 25-40, depending on whom you ask), she will eventually be subjected to the most terrible of insults: 'Old Maid'.

Azz i said old maid card