Mid 19th century; earliest use found in John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), philosopher, economist, and advocate of women's rights. From French idée mère from idée + mère.
Definition of idée mère in US English:
idée mère
(also idee mère)
nounˌiːdeɪ ˈmɛː
Mother-idea.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), philosopher, economist, and advocate of women's rights. From French idée mère from idée + mère.