For the village of Pussy in France, see Pussy, France

Pussy is both a vulgar word referring to the vulva and vagina, and a slang synonym for "cat," a permanent double entendre.

The word in the former sense normally refers almost exclusively to the aforementioned portions of the female anatomy. It is also used as a crude synonym for sexual intercourse, as in "did you get any pussy?" It was not included in the Federal Communications Commission's list of seven prohibited profanities but most dictionaries mark it as "vulgar" or "offensive" and its use is frowned upon in polite company. Occasionally, the word kitty, which is a synonym for pussy in the second sense of the word, is also used as a less-vulgar sounding alternative for pussy in the sexual sense as well.

The origins of the term in the vulgar sense are disputed, although Webster's Third International Dictionary traces the root to the Old Norse puss, cognate with purse and also cites the Low Germanic puse meaning "vulva" and the Scandinavian puss with the same meaning.

The word pussy can also be used derogatorily to refer to a male who is not considered sufficiently masculine (see Gender role). When used in this sense, it carries the implication of being easily fatigued, weak or cowardly. However, it is worthwhile to note that this meaning for the word etymologically arises as a shortened form of the word 'pusillanimous'. Men dominated by women (particularly their partners or spouses) can be referred to as pussy-whipped.

To pussyfoot around the question or point means to either show excessive tact when dealing with a sensitive subject or to simply obfuscate and prevaricate to avoid a difficult situation. The reference is to the careful, soft tread of the cat and has no vulgar implications.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, 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". In addition to cats, the word was also used for rabbits and hares as well as a humorous name for tigers. In the 19th 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".

Prior to this in the 16th century it was used to refer to women in general and it continues to be applied to old women.

The double entendre has been used for over a hundred years by performers, including the late 19th-century vaudeville act, the Barrison Sisters, who performed the notorious routine "Do You Want To See My Pussy?" (see entry for more), the Funkadelic song "Pussy", as well as a character (Pussy Galore) and a title (Octopussy) in the James Bond series.

Another notable usage is in the British comedy Are You Being Served?. The character Mrs. Slocombe is often heard to be concerned with the welfare of her pussy (cat), presumably unaware of the secondary meaning.

An apocryphal story attributed to entertainer Johnny Carson is that Zsa Zsa Gabor appeared on the Tonight Show with a cat in her lap, and asked Johnny if he wanted to pet "her pussy." The supposed response was "I'd love to if you'd just take that damn cat out of your lap first." Carson maintains, "Regrettably, it never happened."

See also

• Profanity
• Obscenity
• Sexual slang

External links

• Don't be so beastly! (http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,3605,975787,00.html) by Justine Hankins. The Guardian, June 14, 2003
• Complete lyrics to the George Clinton song from the Motherpage (http://www.duke.edu/~tmc/motherpage/lyrics_funkadelic/lyr-ameats.html#lyr-s-pussy)

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Puss in Boots is a European folktale collected by Charles Perrault. The tale is about a cat called Puss.

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