Why is a cat called a pussycat? A brief history of this term

By SecretWuff 3 Min Read

We may have moved away from the word “pussycat” when referring to cats. It went through the process of having a relationship with a cat, then a relationship with a woman, and then becoming a 2000s girl band sensation.

But where did the term come from? Here’s a little bit about the term 411 so you can understand how it came to be what it is today.

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Pussycat, a reference to a four-legged feline

The term “pussy” may sound like a naughty word these days, as it has aggressive overtones. However, did you know that it is actually a noun that means cat? The term “pus” was in common use until the 1500s.

“Puss” comes from the Germanic root for cat. Therefore, it literally means its intended purpose. How did this term evolve into pussycat? I don’t know. Language changes over time.

For example, Webster’s Revised Complete Abridged Dictionary of 1913 claimed that “pussy” was a version of “percy,” meaning “hot-tempered” or “fat.” But traditionally, the term was coined to refer to cats. So there is no doubt that they are the originators.

slang pussycat

Pussycat is a very well-known slang term. It started in 17th It became popular around the 1950s and is still occasionally used today. Pussycat was simply a term used to refer to young girls and women. Often it meant humility and kindness.

However, there are other ways you can use pussycat. Generally, it marked women who were sexually attractive at the time. Men use this word in the same way as “doll” or “young lady.”

Tabby cat walking outdoors and looking back
Image credit: Gunnar Rathbun, Shutterstock

pop band

Don’t you wish your girlfriend was as sexy as me?The word pussycat could easily be associated with any child who grew up in the early 2000s. The Pussycat Dolls are a female pop band that you can’t get out of your head when you’re in New York. There was also a show josie and the pussycats A program about all-girl rock bands that first aired in the 1970s.

other animals

Interestingly, in both English and German, pussies was also the word for rabbit or hare. In the 19th century, it commonly referred to anything soft or furry. A genus of trees called pussy willows is also named for its fluffy coat.

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conclusion

Now you know a little more about the term pussycat. It’s been traditionally used for our furry feline friends for thousands of years, but it’s certainly gone through some interesting changes. This word certainly left its mark on human history.

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Featured image credit: Ivanova Ksenia, Shutterstock

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