The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #142079   Message #3272709
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
12-Dec-11 - 03:38 PM
Thread Name: BS: Euphemistic US Usages
Subject: RE: BS: Euphemistic US Usages
The 'euphemisms' posted by Virginia Tam may be in his family's usage, but most are incorrectly attributed. Two are:

Lickspittle- English, and is defined in Grose's Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1790s) as a tale-bearer, or a parasite.

Nittygritty- originally Black English, meaning fundamental or gritty. Now widespread. Nothing to do with slaves.

Fanny- (Bottom) is widespread in usage.
A music hall song, 1830s, I've got a little fanny, referred to the vulva. A WW1 army initiation game was "Bat the fanny."

Cherry- in print for virginity from c. 1790.