Is this the origin of the word pussy?

Question

Over the years there's been much speculation on GAG about the origin of the word pussy. Many good theories have been put forward but little in the way of hard evidence.

But does this medieval painting of what looks to be a sex party provide the proof of where the word comes from? I think it does.

Lliam · Accepted Answer

That painting is really disturbing. Sick, sadistic bastards. I feel sorry for the cats, not to mention that guy. What the actual F***?

I don't know the answer to your question. There is the Germanic origin of the word that means purse or pouch. That makes sense.

I also read that in the 1500s, it was highly complimentary for a man to refer to a woman as a pussy or pussy cat. I guess it meant that she was very attractive. I don't know where that originated. But it's possible that the term eventually came to refer to a woman's most sought after part, because when men see an attractive woman, they think of sex.

And, just as calling a women "My little pussy cat" was a high compliment, it was and still is an insult to call a man a pussy. It means that he is weak, soft, timid, trembling, cowardly, and even effeminate.

Cats are soft, warm and furry. They respond to being stroked, petted and caressed. Before shaving and waxing became common, maybe guys thought of vaginas/vulvas in the same way.

It is still in endearing term for vulva or vagina. After all, the Latin terms sound clinical and don't have a cute, tender or erotic ring to them. It wouldn't sound sexy to say "I love your vulva" or "Your vagina is so wet!"

However it originated, I like the word pussy, which can refer to a woman's vagina or her entire vulva.

Effably · Accepted Answer

See this is actually interesting because we don't really know where it comes from!

We do know it is at least 500 years old. And possibly 1500 instead.

The most common theories are that it is either a term akin to kitten originally. Which then due to being easy to play around with went from describing a cute woman with claws to what we know now. Personally I'm with this one. It is supported by horribly bad tavern music.

Another common idea is that its old germanic/norse where similar, but not identical, words exist that instead translate to roughly pocket or pouch.

Regardless though it was almost certainly innocent to start with. Perhaps up until the event of this painting! Speaking of which, that poor poor... kitten.

Curious_teen07 · Accepted Answer

... That image.😬

The thought that randomly crossed my mind was that since girls use the word 'meow' for seducing, the nickname for girls became 'pussycat' and since pussy basically means cat in one sense...

Meow -> cat-> pussy

electromagnetic · Accepted Answer

Who’s really being tortured? The man or the cat?

StormChaser838 · Answer

The poor cat will suffocate. Now I understand how some women get 5 and 6 twins and one time.

Dargil · Answer

The Word Pussy is derived from middle French and is related to the words pocket or pouch. Also from middle German for Purse. All items that have nice things inside them.

exitseven · Answer

Where do you find this stuff? I like the look on the other cat's face. He knows he is next.

Andres77 · Answer

I'd really like to dig into this one...🤔

Mansearching · Answer

Why?

Legendarylegacy13 · Answer

I don't know , but I love pussy... lol

Sparkie460 · Answer

All I got to say is OUCH.

LiamJHayden · Answer

Probably from the Old Norse word for pocket, but this is more interesting.

motownplayer2000 · Answer

Not sure how that’s derived from that. Even tho cat is known as a pussy, I don’t think that’s the origin. But then again, I don’t know and I don’t care where it came from