Maybe I'm picking at nits here but what I have heard (from what I considered to be a reliable source--unfortunately I don't remember who) is that those working for universal suffrage called themselves suffragists. In an attempt to belittle and marginalize them many politicians, other leaders and the media labeled them suffragettes. That formerly insulting name stuck. I always use suffragist now, for what little difference it makes.

Can anyone confirm this story?

Cheers,

David