This thread makes reference to phallic examples in ‘western’ culture. Phallic references are prolific in many cultures. This is a picture of chac , the important Mayan rain god. Many Mayan walls are adorned with multiple Chac icons.
It ain’t a “thread”, it’s a column. And there’s no particular “western” bias to it.
However, Cecil really should have mentioned the long history of the word “horn” to signify cuckoldry in English. In Shakespeare’s day, “horn” was an automatically funny word, like “bippy” in the late 60’s, or “booty” today.
OTHELLO: A horned man's a monster and a beast.
– Othello
LAVACHE: As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney,
as your French crown for your taffeta punk, as Tib's rush for Tom's
forefinger, as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday, a morris for May-day,
as the nail to his hole, the cuckold to his horn, as a scolding queen
to a wrangling knave, as the nun's lip to the friar's mouth, nay, as
the pudding to his skin.
– All’s Well that Ends Well
BENEDICK: The savage bull may; but if ever the sensible
Benedick bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in my
forehead: and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as
they write "Here is good horse to hire," let them signify under my
sign: "Here you may see Benedick the married man."
–Much Ado about Nothing
LEONATO: Well, then, go you into hell?
BEATRICE: No, but to the gate; and there will the devil meet me,
like an old cuckold, with horns on his head, and say "Get you to
heaven, Beatrice, get you to heaven; here's no place for you maids:"
so deliver I up my apes, and away to Saint Peter for the heavens;
he shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as merry
as the day is long.
– Much Ado about Nothing
FORD: Hum! ha! is this a vision? is this a dream? do I sleep?
Master Ford awake! awake, Master Ford! there's a hole made in your
best coat, Master Ford. This 'tis to be married! this 'tis to have
linen and buck-baskets! Well, I will proclaim myself what I am: I
will now take the lecher; he is at my house; he cannot 'scape me;
'tis impossible he should; he cannot creep into a halfpenny purse,
nor into a pepper-box: but, lest the devil that guides him should
aid him, I will search impossible places. Though what I am I cannot
avoid, yet to be what I would not shall not make me tame: if I have
horns to make one mad, let the proverb go with me: I'll be horn-mad.
– The Merry Wives of Windsor
Seems like the oblivious has been missed in this column: Antlered male animals get “horny” once a year. THAT would be the basis behind the term…in all cultures. Sheesh!
I was reading a book “Last Chance to See” by Douglas Arthur and some scientist, and, if I remember correctly, the book states that it is a myth that rhino horns are ground down for aphrodesiatic purposes. Actually, the horns are used for dagger handles. Of course, there are bound to be exceptions, but that’s what it said…
Actually the term “horny” dates back further than that which is posted. It goes back to a Egyptian God who was half ram/ half man. He represented the physcial act of fornication also a god of fertility. He had a rams head with the big currving “horns” thus the horny aspect comes out.
Later, the Christian’s during the Dark Ages in their attempt to make everything Non-Christian evil used this figure to represent their devil.
Isn’t it great that “horny” is a really, really old word.
Horny derives nicely from cuckoldry, but well predates Shakespeare, being found in Chaucer. Also, a common insult in medieval times was to call someone “cornutus et hirsutus” which means, literally, “horned and hairy,” but more colloquially meant “Your wife is getting nailed by some other guy so you masturbate so chronically that your body is becoming quite hairy.” Hugo uses this to fine effect in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Horns and cuckoldry have a long and illustrious history, dating to classical times; in Italy even today to call someone “cornu” is to call them a cuckold, and to make an appearance of a set of horns with your hand is a deadly insult.
My post was incorrect earlier. It should have said Douglas Adams.
Well, all that may be so, but what about the simple and obvious derivation from the obvious horn sticking out a mans trousers when he is?
Lenehan: Got the horn, or what? (James Joyce, Ulysses)