Why do they call every presidents wife the first lady?

Question

Every four years there is a new first lady but how can each lady be the first? Logically it makes no sense so whats the meaning behind it?

Answer 1

From wikipedia:
First Lady is an unofficial term that is applied to the female spouse of an elected male head of state or head of government. Development of the title is credited to the United States, where it was first used in 1849, when United States President Zachary Taylor called Dolley Madison, "First Lady" at her state funeral.

Though "first lady" is rarely an official office of the state, several First Ladies have exerted considerable power and influence over the course of government despite the lack of a legal mandate, such as Edith Wilson, wife of Woodrow Wilson, and Henriette Conté, the first wife of Lansana Conté. Others such as Hillary Clinton, Imelda Marcos or Sonia Gandhi have gone on to win political power in their own right, while others, such as Argentine Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, held office prior to becoming First Lady. Some others, e.g. Isabel Peron and Janet Jagan have become president themselves.

The spouse of the second in command (such as a Vice President) may be known as the "Second Lady". Less frequently, the family would be known as the "Second Family".

It has become commonplace for the title of "First Lady" to be bestowed on women, as a term of endearment, who have proven themselves to be of exceptional talent, even if that talent is non-political. For example, the term has been applied in the entertainment field to denote the First Lady of American Soul (Aretha Franklin), the First Lady of the Grand Old Opry (Loretta Lynn) and the First Lady of the American Stage (Helen Hayes).

Answer 2

Initially, the President's wife was referred to as Lady (as in “Lady Washington”) or Mrs. President. The term First Lady was coined by Mary Clemmer Ames in an 1877 magazine article describing the inauguration of President Rutherford B. Hayes. It was popularized by a play about Dolley Madison entitled The First Lady in the Land, produced in New York City in 1911.

Answer 3

Term First Lady

Answer 4

It is just American tradition to call the wife "First Lady"at least we don't have the same ole one all the time!

Answer 5

Because the President's mistress is always known as Number Two.

Answer 6

Just one of those wacky traditions that make no sense....

why to cars drive on parkways and park on driveways?

why are apartments together?

Answer 7

cuz shes the firat to take over our counrty and the thats a good thing!

Answer 8

They should call her the first jizzum dumpster