How did they start?

[Greg Lee Hunt]

I've long been interested in slang and language usage. Today everyone uses or is familiar with the common slang names used for sexual organs such as 'cock', 'dick', 'pussy', or 'cunt. I've often wondered how these terms got started, e.g. why is a vagina called a 'pussy'? Anybody know the origin of these and other common sexual terms? Even if you don't -- care to guess? I'm curious.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I made them all up a couple of years ago, and I'm still waiting for residual checks from all you Bleezers (that's a new word now, don't steal it).

 

[Lajo]

I don't know about pussy or cunt. But, I do know about "fuck." This actually came from the police departments in New England states many years ago (early 1900's??). When a prostitute was arrested, she was arrested "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge." And instead of writing it all out, it was abbreviated "F.U.C.K."

The hookers took it back to the streets...and voila. We have the word.
Which I might add is a word that is a verb, adverb, adjective, and noun.
Verb: F--k you!
Adverb: He ran like he was fucking on fire.
Adjective: He is such a f--k.
Noun: A f--k is out of the question

[This message has been edited by Lajo (edited 04-09-2000).]

 

[Dahlia]

Greg,

I have a great book called 'Sexy Origins of Intimate Things'. It's a bit Eurocentric (doesn't give any credit to Hindi for the cunt-kundilini connection), but it is a fantastic resource for the origins of sex slang, toys, bras, underwear, etc. It's a hilarious read and a great tool for conversation.

 

[Kiss-met]

Fuck actually is not from the 1900's, it goes back much further then that..(For unlawful carnal knowledge) was thought to be traced all the way back to puritanical times, akin to Hawthornes Scarlett Letter, like the letter A, Fuck was supposedly given to ladies of less morale character. Popularized by a Van Halen album, it is no surprise that people think the words etymology stems from (F.U.C.K)This however is very wrong..another popular belief is that the word goes back to the middle ages where it is said to have meant Fornication Under Consent by the King, where the peasants had to ask permission before engaging in coitus...this is also wrong. The etymology of the word Fuck is quite obscure, however, it is safe to say that Fuck is derived from the middle ages,to be exact it comes from the Chaucerian Middle ages, circa 1340-1400ad..although the first written usage of the word wasn't until 1503..the word evolved between this time period. The origin of the word Fuck, is Germanic or dutch, perhaps a hybrid of both, from the german word Focken (to poke) and the Dutch word Fokken (to strike or penetrate) Eventually these words were shortened to just plain ole Fuck. I don't know why I know that, but I hope it helps.

[This message has been edited by Kiss-met (edited 04-10-2000).]

 

[Galadriel]

Wow Kiss-met THAT was impressive!!!

 

[Greg Lee Hunt]

LMAO DCL!

Thanks Lajo and Kiss-met. I have read some of the etymology of "Fuck" before, though Kiss-met's is the most thorough I've seen.

I appreciate the reference Dahlia, I'll get a copy.

I'm not familiar with the origin of 'pussy' however. What's the connection, anything to do with 'stroking'?

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

"Fuck" is extremely old. "Cunt" is probably older, and was even used by Shakespeare (in a French form, "cun", in "Henry V"). "Pussy" and "twat" are fairly modern, though I don't from where.

I think we need two new words for the male and femal sex organs. I'm going with "Polestick" and "Voombox" from now on.

 

[Golden]

in the 16th Century, pussy was used to refer to a woman. as in:

"so he have his pretty pussy to huggle withall"

Cunte - middle English, etymology vague

Ficken - old German word for fuck.

 

[Melody_lane]

Dixon, my "voombox" is patiently waiting for your "polestick."

But until then....*buzzzzzzzz*

 

[Guest]

The word 'Fuck' actually started in old Scottish days. It was used as an exclamination after the first golfer missed a 3 foot putt, as in "FUCK!"

 

[Greg Lee Hunt]

DCL, I agree new words are needed, I propose 'long' and 'deep' as in long and deep.

golden, I might have guessed that you'd know the answer, and I thank your for it.

kenny, Is that why golfers use their 'sticks' to put the ball in the hole? Why is one under par a 'birdie'?

 

[Lajo]

Kiss-met...thanx! you're answer was even better than mine! "You're a gentleman and a scholar."