# How Did We Get From Pussy (cat) to Pussy (vag)? How Did Beaver Enter The Mix? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 21, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993 "2022-09-21T16:28:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/1 "2022-09-21T16:28:16Z")
Do Spanish speakers say “gatita” (little female cat) to refer to a woman’s vag? Do they also use “castor” (beaver)? How did these two slang terms get into the English lexicon? And are they used in the local tongue (heh heh) outside of English? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/2 "2022-09-21T16:38:00Z")
In a word - fur. Not all cats look like this: [![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.3020772.1470740713!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg) ](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.3020772.1470740713!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/3 "2022-09-21T16:41:10Z")
You youngsters won’t remember this but there was a time when women did not shave or trim their public hair. Anyone seeking evidence can do an online search for seventies porn. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/4 "2022-09-21T16:42:44Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Not all cats look like this Thank God for that! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/5 "2022-09-21T16:45:27Z")
As for other languages, I believe _la chatte_ and _le minou_ are French slang for a woman’s genitals. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/6 "2022-09-21T16:48:29Z")
Pussy is easy. Furry things in a woman’s lap. Beaver used to refer to bearded men. Beard = Pubes. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/7 "2022-09-21T16:52:32Z")
[Merriam-Webster’s dictionary](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pussy) says: > [@](#): > > perhaps of Low German or Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse _pūss_ pocket, pouch, Low German _pūse_ vulva, Old English _pusa_ bag ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/8 "2022-09-21T16:57:02Z")
And then there was probably the time when Zsa Zsa Gabor had a cat on her lap and she asked Johnny Carson would you like to pet my pussy? And he said sure, please move your cat. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/gqCQt-CjHzw/hqdefault.jpg "Did Zsa Zsa Gábor ask Johnny Carson: "Do you want to pet my pussy...?" (1989)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqCQt-CjHzw) ---
**Author:** ![Joeu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joeu/32/2911_2.png) [@Joeu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joeu)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/9 "2022-09-21T16:58:48Z")
The Online Etymology Dictionary (which I love) has this for _beaver_. > beaver (n.3) > > “female genitals, especially with a display of pubic hair,” by 1927, British slang, ultimately from beaver (n.1), perhaps transferred from earlier meaning “a bearded man” (1910), or directly from the appearance of split beaver pelts. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/10 "2022-09-21T19:13:53Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Pussy is easy. Furry things in a woman’s lap. Beaver used to refer to bearded men. Beard = Pubes. Considering furs, primarily beaver pelts, were the key to the opening up of Canada and its major source of revenue in the early days of New France and the Hudson’s Bay Company - no surprise if “beaver” meant fur for the last few centuries to those in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/11 "2022-09-22T03:31:12Z")
For some reason, I was under the impression that pussy meaning vagina came from rhyming slang of pussy cat with twat. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/12 "2022-09-22T03:58:16Z")
I had heard that it came from pusillanimous, but the above matches what etymonline says ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/13 "2022-09-22T05:09:05Z")
The Netflix series _History of Swear Words_ covered this in Episode 5, but I honestly don’t remember what they said the etymology was. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/14 "2022-09-22T05:17:05Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > Considering furs, primarily beaver pelts, were the key to the opening up of Canada and its major source of revenue in the early days of New France and the Hudson’s Bay Company - no surprise if “beaver” meant fur for the last few centuries to those in Europe. For many years, the history magazine of the Hudson Bay Company, which they later ceded to the non-profit History Canada org, was : … “The Beaver”. That lasted until they went to online editions, and school kids who were doing history projects and searching online for articles in The Beaver were directed to … other kinds of websites. The magazine now has the prosaic, if safe, name of “Canada’s History”. > **[Canada's History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada's_History)** > > Canada's History (French: Histoire Canada) is the official magazine of Canada's National History Society. It is published six times a year and aims to foster greater popular interest in Canadian history. > Founded as The Beaver in 1920 by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), the magazine was acquired by the Society in 1994. It remains partially funded by HBC and the Government of Canada. Subject matter includes all aspects of Canadian history. In 2011, it was named a finalist for "Magazine of the Yea... ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/15 "2022-09-22T09:30:44Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > In a word - fur. > > Not all cats look like this… No, but nowadays a lot of…never mind. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/16 "2022-09-22T10:27:09Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > The Netflix series _History of Swear Words_ covered this in Episode 5, but I honestly don’t remember what they said the etymology was. The show gave several theories as to the origin. It’s a decent show with short episodes. I recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/17 "2022-09-22T10:30:36Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You youngsters won’t remember this but there was a time when women did not shave or trim their public hair. Anyone seeking evidence can do an online search for seventies porn. Yep. Like a sweater. You could plant tomatoes in those gardens. Take it from a guy that went through puberty in the early 70’s those visuals shaped our outlook. My wife shaves hers when she’s mad at me. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/18 "2022-09-22T11:32:17Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Do Spanish speakers say “gatita” (little female cat) to refer to a woman’s vag? Do they also use “castor” _Conejo_. Hare or rabbit. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/19 "2022-09-22T13:47:53Z")
And in Norwegian it’s mouse. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993/20 "2022-09-22T15:58:19Z")
I also recall hearing the word “muff” (also as in “muff-diving”). Referencing the furry object kept in the vicinity of the lap for warming her hands in winter. So basically, allusions to fur. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-get-from-pussy-cat-to-pussy-vag-how-did-beaver-enter-the-mix/971993.md?page=2)