<P> The entire family of the head of state may be known familiarly as the "First Family". </P> <P> The spouse of the second - in - command (such as a Vice President) may be known as the "Second Lady", or Vice-First Lady . Less frequently, the family would be known as the "Second Family". </P> <P> The spouse of a governor of a U.S. state is commonly referred to as the First Lady or First Gentleman of that state, for example "First Lady Tonette Marie Walker of Wisconsin". The practice is less common for spouses of mayors but is nevertheless used for some, particularly in large cities; example: "First Lady Amy Rule of Chicago" or "First Lady Kris Barrett of Milwaukee ." Mike Gregoire, husband of former Washington state governor Chris Gregoire, preferred to use his name instead of a common noun, calling himself "First Mike". </P> <P> "First Lady" is also used to refer, less formally, to wives of college and university presidents . It has even been used in reference to female spouses of men who were chairmen of major corporations . </P>

Where did the term first lady come from