но в фильмах версии ББС слово handsome употребляют для обоих полов.

когда handsome стали употреблять для характеристики лиц женского пола?
если употребляли всегда - то зачем в школе нам давали упомянутые ограничения

тут http://books.google.com/books?id=8N4UReTJYhUC&pg=PA92&lpg=PA92&dq=“They+say+I’m+handsome.”+“You’re+lovely,+Bella!”+She+drank+in+his+homage+—+Meredith&source=web&ots=7ar8WbInex&sig=1bamdo8Af1rWW1fuBJn4QTRyCyY&hl=ru&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result
на стр. 92 все прекрасно по полочкам разложено

Бум знать

ЗЫ статная дама не есть статс-дама))

Кажется, Вы хотели сказать "боюсь, что спорить СО МНОЙ бесполезно..."

в отношении 12-летней - "выглядит как настоящая пацанка"

Огород не городите только, никто такого не говорил. Лучше приведите ссылку на ИМЕННО такое употребление (применительно к девчонке в порванных джинсах и т.п.), чтобы полный контекст был виден, и тогда можно будет давать варианты перевода.

beautiful

*Beautiful*, *lovely*, *handsome*, *pretty*, *bonny*, *comely*, *fair*, *beauteous*, *pulchritudinous*, *good-looking* are comparable when they express judgment of a person or a thing perceived or contemplated with sensuous or aesthetic pleasure. Although they differ widely not only in their implications and connotations but also in their range of reference, they carry in common the meaning very pleasing or delightful to look at.

Of all these adjectives *beautiful* is usually the richest in significance; since the abstraction it represents (the beautiful) has been for many centuries the subject of discussion by philosophers, artists, and aestheticians, its content in a particular context often depends upon the speaker’s or writer’s cultural background, his chosen philosophy, or his own peculiar definition. In general, however, both in learned and in ordinary use *beautiful* is applied to what excites the keenest pleasure not only of the senses but also through the medium of the senses of mind and soul. It also suggests an approach to or a realization of perfection, often specifically the imagined perfection associated with one’s conception of an ideal. That is why beautiful is applicable not only to things that are directly perceived by the senses but to things that are actually mental constructions formed in the mind through the instrumentality of language or as a result of inferences from certain outward manifestations

(...)

*Handsome*, on the other hand, carries little connotation of emotional or spiritual pleasure; it implies rather a judgment of approval occasioned by something that is pleasant to look upon because it conforms to one’s conception of what is perfect in form and detail or in perfect taste, and pleasing because of its due proportions, symmetry, or elegance. It is applied chiefly to what can be regarded unemotionally and with detachment; thus, a woman who is described as handsome rather than as beautiful or lovely is by implication one whose appearance aesthetically satisfies the observer but does not markedly stir his deeper feelings

<“They say I’m handsome.” “You’re lovely, Bella!” She drank in his homage — Meredith>

*Pretty*, in contrast to *handsome*, is applied largely to what pleases by its delicacy, grace, or charm rather than by its perfection or elegance of form or style. It is seldom used to describe something large or impressive; consequently it often connotes diminutiveness, daintiness, or exquisiteness *Pretty* is often used depreciatively to suggest mere pleasingness of appearance and the absence of qualities that make for beauty, grandeur, or strength

etc.

Вот тоже по теме от носителей языка:
By far it is best to use the word "handsome" to apply to a male. It suits a man much better than it does a woman, no matter how handsome she may be! Play it safe and call her "attractive" - you've nothing to lose.

The use of the word "beautiful" when referring to a male is quite acceptable as far as I'm concerned. I know plenty of truly beautiful men, in a strictly masculine way, and I'm more than happy to use the word and don't regard it as misplaced at all in that connecion. The word "pretty" is much more appropriate when referring to a younger male, a youth, but in my book it can apply to a woman even if she is getting a tad long in the tooth and sort of suits the word still, but doesn't quite qualify as "beautiful". In any case, it's all skin deep anyway.

handsome
c.1400, handsom "easy to handle, ready at hand," from hand (n.) + -some. Sense extended to "fair size, considerable" (1577), then "having fine form, good-looking" (1590). Meaning "generous" (in handsome reward, etc.) first recorded 1690.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=handsome

или

Вот здесь еще куча употреблений
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-handsome.html

One can't drink strong wine all day long, or I would have another bottle. She's handsome, sir. Though not exactly to my taste, still, by the Thunder and the Lightning! handsome. I felicitate you on your admiration.'

'I neither know nor ask,' said Clennam, 'of whom you speak.'

'Della bella Gowana, sir, as they say in Italy. Of the Gowan, the fair Gowan.' [...]
'Effectively, sir,' said Rigaud, 'Society sells itself and sells me: and I sell Society. I perceive you have acquaintance with another lady. Also handsome. A strong spirit. Let us see. How do they call her? Wade.'

He received no answer, but could easily discern that he had hit the mark.

'Yes,' he went on, 'that handsome lady and strong spirit addresses me in the street, and I am not insensible. I respond. That handsome lady and strong spirit does me the favour to remark, in full confidence, "I have my curiosity, and I have my chagrins. You are not more than ordinarily honourable, perhaps?"

Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit, Chapter 28