That word existing isn’t proof of that.
Also, ask a random selection of people who call other pussies what they mean by it. I can guarantee you that the mayority is referring to the body part. Which makes this stupid.
I never thought of the body part when calling someone a pussy. Anecdotal, but still.
Hmh. I have never called someone a pussy, but when people do, I ususually do think of the body part. Based on this, I postulate that we are polar opposites.
Also, what do you think of? Dicks? If so, same.
If you’re asking if I think of a penis when calling someone a dick, then no.
I was always thought about it was cats because they’re scared and shit. But holy fuck, never fuck with a cat that hates your guts and wants nothing to do with you.
You think when people call someone a “pussy” as a pejorative they are calling them a vagina? Like literally? That’s ludicrous.
Almost like calling someone a dick.
Curses and insults often include sexual characteristics and actions. And also bodily fluids, animals, diseases and blasphemy
“despite what you may have heard, pusillanimous does not serve as the basis for pussyfoot, pussycat, or a certain related vulgarism.” - Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Social media is a misinformation engine
Social media yes absolutely is, but so is the Internet in general. There’s always been conspiracy and other whacko websites. Social media just brings the misinformation to you, instead of previously, you had to seek out that kind of content.
Well, it may not have been the basis in the past…
Dictionaries are descriptive, not prescriptive. They explain how language has been used in the past. They do not regulate the intention of a speaker in the future.
Prescriptively, “literally” and “figuratively” are antonyms. Descriptively, they have been used synonymously.
Having learned this “pusillanimous” meaning, you are now capable of comprehending the intent of someone employing it, much as I am capable of recognizing that “literally” no longer reliably describes the concept of literality.
I guarantee you that nobody is thinking of “pusillanimous” when they call someone a pussy.
“pussy” as in coward and “pussy” as in vagina are both references to cats. pussycats. we call cowards pussies because cats scare easily. we call vaginas pussies because they are soft and delicate (not actually, but that’s how we want to treat them)
this doesn’t have to be a misogyny thing, and anti-misogyny thing, or an anti-anti-misogyny thing. everyone just fucking chill out about this word, ffs
Etymologically, it seems like there are theories surrounding where it comes from.
The ones I’m familiar with are ‘poesje’, a Dutch word meaning ‘little cat’. The other is the Old English word ‘pus’ meaning ‘pocket’.
I’m far more inclined to believe ‘poesje’ is the origin, with ‘pus’ being an incorrect association due to common modern usage of the word ‘pussy’ in place of ‘vagina’.
Idk who convinced this guy that it’s short for pusillanimous. Sounds like someone trolled the fuck out of him. Anyone with a strong understanding of English (and language, really - what I’m about to say is just human nature) understands that languages follow the path of least resistance. It, logically, does not make sense that pusillanimous (a word totally unused in the average English speakers vernacular) would be where pussy comes from. Unless your inner idea of English speakers 3 centuries ago is some fucked up Shakespeare-an parody.
