The phrase "lady's attendants" can also be expressed in a variety of ways. They may be referred to as ladies-in-waiting, handmaidens, women-in-waiting, maids-in-waiting, or simply as lady's maids. These attendants traditionally served women of nobility or royalty and performed various duties such as dressing them, attending to their personal needs, and accompanying them in public. In modern times, the role of lady's attendants has evolved, but the phrase continues to be used in historical or fictional contexts. With the various synonyms available, it is easy to make one's dialogue or writing sound timeless and elegant.