Sunday, July 29, 2007

Here, pussy pussy...



We've discovered lots of words recently, interesting, funny and a bit gross at times. But the one word that seems universal is "Pussy". So we decided to take a look at this feline favorite. It has been referenced as possibly originating in Old Saxon ("puse" meaning vulva) and also the medieval French word "puce" which, rather unfortunately, means "flea". Urgh. Its first true literary usage comes in 1583, when an English pamphleteer named Philip Stubbs wrote that "The word pussie is now used of a woman".

Right, so there we are, we've now all got pussies as of the sixteenth century. And it stuck, too. After all, we're soft and furry. Stroke us right and we'll definitely purr. Stroke us wrong and you might get a scratch or two.

So what, one might ask, of the current trend toward removing that pussy hair? Are we now "Sphynx"? (The hairless cat has been around for a long time, incidentally. Although now bred for that characteristic, it was originally a natural mutation. Off the point, but interesting nonetheless and something you might want to trot out at your next cocktail party.) Does the depilation deprive us of the right to have pussies?

Nah. A pussy is a pussy whether it's as lush as a Persian, as sleek as a Siamese or as bald as a Sphynx. It's powerful (remember those Egyptian gods?), a symbol of pleasure everywhere, and occasionally bad luck (if it's attached to somebody else's wife). It's got its own movie quotes ("Pussy Galore" anyone?), more jokes than you can shake a cat toy at, and is definitely here to stay. It may not be able to meow, but it can fart now and again. It can be lapped at, played with, snuggled against and teased. It probably comes in as many colors as cat breeds, although if anybody's got a Sealpoint one, please send photos to the Quiminology lab.

Yes ladies...we have pussies. And yes, that definitely makes us Goddesses. Along with all the other amazing things we've got going for us, of course. Oh, and let's not forget the ever-popular "pussy-whipped". It has its own kinky appeal, doesn't it? ;)

5 comments:

Jaid Black said...

"Pussy" comes from the French word for "fleas"? That's a helluva note lol :-P

Anonymous said...

Thanks once again for an illuminating treatise, Dr. Kelly. You truly are an insightful quiminologist. I do like the newer twist on pussy, "kitty," as in "pet my kitty." It doesn't have all the negative baggage associated with pussy--a nasty word uttered by schoolboys with a dirty smirk--and it still retains all the feline imagery.

Ciana / Syneca said...

FLEA??? Snort! My hat's off to you, Sahara. You're the premiere quiminologist. And I'm with Susan, "let my kitty" doesn't have such a bad ring :) and then there's always the question we can ask of our SO.... did you remember to feed the kitty? Hmmm, maybe I'll try that one now:)

Anonymous said...

other than the flea association I can do without its a great word to me, maybe the best in the English language :>

Dave

Anny Cook said...

Robin Williams once did a short monologue on his favorite word on Actor's Studio...it was pussy. When I remember that monologue, I still laugh.