Don’t Be a Pussy

I know what y’all are thinking…what a sexist thing to say. But you may not know where this saying comes from. Or at least a few less derogatory theories on the origin of this saying. There are numerous hotly debated theories on the origin of the word pussy and connotations surrounding sayings like “don’t be a pussy” or “stop being a pussy.” Here are the various theories:

One theory that offers the least sexist view is that pussy is derived from the Latin word pusillanimous, which means, showing a lack of courage or determination, or timidity.
Others believe the etymology of the word ‘Pussy’ can be traced back to the 16th century from the word ‘puss’, commonly used as a call-name for cats back then, then perhaps evolved to another something that was warm and fuzzy (a woman’s naughty bits). Cause, come on, it’s just as fun to pet either pussy.
In the 1580s, there is evidence that pussy was a term of endearment for a girl or woman, (also used to describe effeminate men), and applied childishly to anything soft and furry.
Some argue that many words akin to puss existed in Germanic and other European languages, such as German (pūse), Dutch (poes), Lithuanian (puižė), and Irish (puisín). Furthermore, they theorize pussy was supposed to be an improvisation of Low German words that meant “pocket” or “purse” or Old Norse pūss and Old English pusa for the female pudenda.
Songs such as “Puss in a Corner” (1690, attributed to D’Urfey) were purported to clearly play on the double sense of the word for ribald effect.
Victorian society may have played a role in the meaning of the word when it became sexualized in the 1800s, and was directly associated with vaginas, referring to “something soft, warm, and furry.” Although, technically the vagina is not furry…
Regardless, like the term dyke, women reclaimed the word after the former president declared those famous words, “grab them by the pussy” and the women’s march sported pink hats. The Pussyhat Project was a nationwide effort initiated by Krista Suh and Jayna Zweiman, a screenwriter and architect located in Los Angeles, to create pink hats to be worn at the march. According to Wikipedia, Pussyhats were featured months after the 2017 march on the Missoni fashion runway where models were outfitted with pink hats combined with zigzag-striped ribbing as they walked the runway. Additionally, at the end of the show, Angela Missoni and other celebrities wore those same pink hats. Angela called the collection “pink is the new black” and donated some of the proceeds from the collection to the ACLU and UN Refugee Agency. However, the term “Pussy Power” was first used as far back as the 1960s.

I will leave it up to you regarding whether the saying “Don’t Be a Pussy” is indeed sexist and derogatory. In the book I am writing, I’ve included one of the theories, namely the Latin term, because I thought it was interesting. I know that I also use the term pussy in many of my books, but certainly not in a derogatory way at all! Some may even be referring to our furry little friends, considering what a cat person I am. If you want to see how I’ve used the term, feel free to click the links below.