Friday, April 13, 2007

word origin: pussy

I know the dorking is a day late, but is it a dollar short? I was busy not working at work yesterday. I did however book my dream vacation. More on that later.


According to the Oxford English Disctionary, puss was used as a "call-name" for cats in both German and English, but pussy was used in English more as a synonym for "cat": compare "pussycat". In addition to cats, the word was also used for rabbits and hares as well as a humorous name for tigers. In the 19 century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, the meaning was extended "in childish speech, applied to anything soft and furry", as in pussy willow. In thieves' slang, it meant "fur coat".
(So what would a shaved one be called in slang?)

To pussyfoot around the question or point means to be evasive, cautious, or conceal one's opinions. The reference is to the careful soft tread of the cat and has no vulgar implications, other than obvious ties to weakness, which "pussy" sometimes connotes.
(Hey, my pussy isn't weak)

1 comment:

Old Man Crowder said...

You know what they say...There's more than one way to skin a pussy.

Geez, I go away for a few days and look at all this good stuff I have to catch up on!

FYI: I call mine a "wanger". Is that too immature? Keep in mind, I've got a 2-year old around.