# Origin of ''hung'' **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 3, 2001, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-hung/79517 "2001-09-03T14:40:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2001, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-hung/79517/1 "2001-09-03T14:40:23Z")
Referring to the adjective meaning “priapic endowment.” I heard the word for the first time in that context probably about 1980 or so, and assumed it was relatively recently coined. However, I was watching one of Dick :o Clark’s “Blooper” programs back in the early 80s, and William Conrad was the guest. Conrad’s incredibly voice graced the airwaves for many years in various roles, including the narrator of the famous environmental commercial where a lone tear slides down the face of Italian Indian “Iron Eyes Cody.” But back to Conrad. . . One of the radio programs that he did was “Gunsmoke,” and he was relating an episode (so, we’re in the 50s) in which a man or some men had been hanged (probably as a lynching). The next line was something like “A professional must have done this, because the men are so well-hung.” At that point, he and the others completely lost it in a fit of laughter. So, if he was being on the level, the definition goes back a little further . Any ideas??? (I understand the “why?” of the etymology. I’m just looking for the “when?”) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2001, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-hung/79517/2 "2001-09-03T15:44:21Z")
I have a feeling that it may be of equestrian or agricultural origin, - my vague recollection is that this would be a selling point for a stallion or bull. Sorry, no cite though. You might find this: [thisWhat’s the story on autoerotic asphyxiation?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_218.html) interesting, but I think the hanging/priapic endowment connection there is only coincidental. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2001, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-hung/79517/3 "2001-09-03T17:08:03Z")
Cassell’s Dictionary Of Slang dates _hung_ from the seventeenth century. The two definitions are _having a large penis_ and _having large breasts_. The same source dates _well hung_ from the nineteenth century as meaning _of a man, having notably large genitals_. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2001, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-hung/79517/4 "2001-09-03T17:10:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nostradamus \* > **The two definitions are _having a large penis_ and _having large breasts_.** This is just to make it clear that finding the two definitions on the same person would be an unusual occurence. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2001, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-hung/79517/5 "2001-09-03T19:02:03Z")
Many thanks.