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What is a 'Doxy'?
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Subject: What is a 'Doxy'? From: GUEST,Louisa Date: 03 Mar 02 - 01:51 PM I heard a song about a "Trimrig Doxy". What is a Doxy? I think a Trimrig is a sailing boat. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Peg Date: 03 Mar 02 - 01:53 PM well, it is a sort of olde English term for a courtesan, strumpet, harlot, tramp...you get the idea...
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Liz the Squeak Date: 03 Mar 02 - 01:57 PM A lady of lesser virtue, an employee of the oldest profession (and incidentally the only other profession along with the Inland Revenue that insist on money up front....), one who makes her living from 'following the troops' as it were.... LTS |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: GUEST Date: 03 Mar 02 - 02:09 PM It changed over time. In the 16th and 17th century it was a beggar girl. Shakespeare - 'Hey the doxy over the dell' (misprinteed 'dale'). A dell was a married beggar woman.
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Cappuccino Date: 03 Mar 02 - 02:33 PM Isn't there a version of Newry Town which refers to six doxies carrying the guy's coffin? - Ian B |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: katlaughing Date: 03 Mar 02 - 02:35 PM Funny, an online dictionary lists the 1911 "floozies" as a synonym, citing the meaning as "usually young women of loose morals." made me wonder, what kind of word, if any, has there ever been for young men of loose morals, in that way? |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: The Pooka Date: 03 Mar 02 - 02:47 PM "Orthodoxy is my doxy. Heterodoxy is another man's doxy." -G.K. Chesterton (I think) (or else C.S. Lewis. One of them guys. Y'know.) |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: GUEST Date: 03 Mar 02 - 02:47 PM Young men of loose morals are simply young men. A standing p---k has no conscience. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Amos Date: 03 Mar 02 - 03:10 PM Doxological (a.) Pertaining to doxology; giving praise to doxies. Doxologized (imp. & p. p.) of Doxologize Doxologizing (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Doxologize Doxologize (v. i.) To give glory to doxies, as in a doxology; to praise doxies. Doxologies (pl. ) of Doxology Doxology (n.) A hymn expressing praise and honor to doxies, usually sung silently by male members of the congregation while other songs are being sung by other members.; a form of praise to doxies designed to be sung or chanted by the males of a congregation. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Amos Date: 03 Mar 02 - 03:13 PM Doxies (pl. ) of Doxy Doxy (n.) A loose wench; a disreputable sweetheart. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Dave the Gnome Date: 03 Mar 02 - 03:17 PM Come along to Lancaster Maritime Festival over the Easter weekend to check out the 'poxy doxies'! Mind you you need to watch out that the press gang are not lurking nearby;-) The doxies have learned to stay away from the Abram Pace Eggers though - they did not appreciates their lily-white breasts being befouled with black make up. (Just ask St George about his fall from grace...) Cheers
Dave the Gnome |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 03 Mar 02 - 04:05 PM I don't think it necessarily means she's "loose", it just means that she could be if she wanted to be.
Here is a link to a quite extensive etymological exploration.
It seems the word comes from a word for "doll", and like doll it was primarily a term of affection. The same as "tart" (from sweetheart) - and like that word it got hijacked for other purposes.
In a song it doesn't necessarily imply that she's on the game. And insofar as the word still is current (and, whether as a survival or a revival, it is) I think it's reverted more to its older meaning, and doesn't have those implications. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Desdemona Date: 03 Mar 02 - 04:18 PM I've always understood the term (certainly by Shakespeare's time) to imply a girl not averse to having a good time, who's quite probably light of virtue in a jolly, good-natured sort of way. The doxy over the dell(dale) in Autolycus' song in "The Winter's Tale" is certainly mentioned in a merry springtime context: "When daffodils begin to peer, -- With hey! The doxy over the dale, -- Why, then comes in the sweet o' the year; For the red blood reigns in the winter's pale. The white sheet bleaching on the hedge, -- With hey! the sweet birds, O, how they sing! -- Doth set my pugging tooth on edge; For a quart of ale is a dish for a king. The lark, that tirra-lirra chants, -- With hey! with hey! the thrush and the jay, -- Are summer songs for me and for my aunts, While we lie tumbling in the hay." |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: nutty Date: 03 Mar 02 - 04:21 PM Trimrig ...refers to her having all the right equipment in all the right places. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: GUEST,Sparkle Date: 03 Mar 02 - 04:41 PM I've been told in a history book in school, that a Doxy is a vagrant (originating in Tudor and Stuart times) who carries a large sack on her back full of things that she has stolen. Some of the things she steals most often are chickens. She does this by putting a hook on some string and hides it in some corn. The chicken eats the corn and swallows the hook and chokes. Where did this information from? |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: harpgirl Date: 03 Mar 02 - 05:30 PM ..." no gypsy slut nor Doxy, shall take my mad Tom from me! " |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: katlaughing Date: 03 Mar 02 - 05:57 PM according to a site I found with Cornish dialect, it is listed as doxy......smart. pretty |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 03 Mar 02 - 07:47 PM Possible related to "doty" - as used by little girls in Ireland for fluffy kittens and suchlike? |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Celtic Soul Date: 03 Mar 02 - 08:09 PM Everyone has the intent and spirit right! It was a woman of loose morals. But from what I have been told, the word actually derives from the word "Docks". A "Doxy" was a woman who hung around the docks waiting for the ships to come in. She'd then try and get him to spend all his (several years worth of) earnings on her (or just outright steal it from him). Many folks songs about Sailors getting taken are about just such. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Ferrara Date: 03 Mar 02 - 08:40 PM Always thought it was "Trim-rigged" doxy, as in "a trim ship." And I assumed it meant she was "neat and trim," however you want to take that, probably meaning what nutty said.... |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 03 Mar 02 - 08:56 PM That etymological link I gave which sees it as coming from "docke" meaning "doll" seems convincing enough. Was the term "docks" in its seaport meaning current as early as 1530? |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 03 Mar 02 - 08:57 PM And is the widespread expression of endearment "ducky" related? |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 03 Mar 02 - 10:39 PM Dock in seaport meaning is 16th C (OED), so it is old enough. "Doxy" has been around long enough to attract variant meanings. The OED says it is slang for a mistress, paramour or prostitute, but also recognizes the dialectical meaning of a wench, or sweetheart. The OED mentions that its origin is unknown but it is "possibly a derivative of dock." 1562: "If she be his harlot, she is called hys Doxy." 1827: "Spending all my money among doxies..." 1825: "a sweetheart, but not in the equivocal sense ...Shakespeare." |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: katlaughing Date: 03 Mar 02 - 11:48 PM One online dictionary has the following: Etymology: perhaps modification of obsolete Dutch docke doll, from Middle Dutch Date: circa 1530 |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Hilary Date: 04 Mar 02 - 02:29 AM The word Doxy is still used in Staffordshire. It is (often) being used by a friend to refer to the woman her husband ran off with. So I don't think she has the fluffy bunnies image in mind ! Kevin, I'm not sure if you were serious about the connection with 'ducky', (or if this is relevant), but the affectionate term of 'duck', as in "Are you going up Hanley, duck" is likewise in common use in N.Staffs/the potteries. .... I never knew 'tart' came from 'sweetheart'. Hilary
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Muskrat Date: 04 Mar 02 - 02:48 AM I was going to reprimand you, Louisa, but upon reading the thread, I'll have to admit: posting the question here may be lazier than consulting a dictionary, but it's sure a lot more fun. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Sourdough Date: 04 Mar 02 - 03:01 AM Might not the male equivalent be "rake" or the earlier "rakehell" Sourdough |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 04 Mar 02 - 06:48 AM Serious about the suggestion that ducky might be cognate with doxy? Well, it just occurred to me that it might indeed have a link. Though ducky isn't limited to refer to women (at least when women say it), so maybe less likely.
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: greg stephens Date: 04 Mar 02 - 07:00 AM Possibly something to do with the plant? Rubbing yourself with a dock leaf gives you relief from pain, and the same could be said for a doxy. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: kendall Date: 04 Mar 02 - 07:40 AM It's interesting how men are admired for their pursuit of physical pleasure by their pals, and women are villified for the same pursuit. What a frigged up world we live in. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: artbrooks Date: 04 Mar 02 - 08:19 AM For a male version, how about "fancy boy" or, at a level equivalent to courtisan, gigolo? |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: nutty Date: 04 Mar 02 - 10:51 AM how about "full-masted frigate"????? |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Joe_F Date: 04 Mar 02 - 11:02 AM The "orthodoxy"-"heterodoxy" pun is a good deal older than any of those guys. "Ascribed to William Warburton (Bishop of Gloucester) (1698-1779)", says Mencken. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 04 Mar 02 - 11:34 AM It occurs to me the heading of this thread sounds like the title of some soggy country song... And he looked up at me, and he said, "Dad, what is a doxy?" And I said, Son...
I think that is a song that needs to be written. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: GUEST,JohnB Date: 04 Mar 02 - 12:29 PM I always thought the Male equivalent was "normal hetrosexual". At least it was when I was a lad. JohnB |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Mr Red Date: 04 Mar 02 - 03:25 PM Visitor to Chief Petty Officer pointing to a strange woman on board standing alongside a whacking great steel rope. "Whot's that?". CPO - " A hawser" "Oooh bitchy, bitchy!" |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Mark Ross Date: 04 Mar 02 - 03:39 PM In the Orient I believe that a Doxy is a young, nubile, teenage girl. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 04 Mar 02 - 04:07 PM Amusing! No one seems happy with authoritative dictionary definitions, and prefer their own or someone else's speculations. The male equivalent around here in polite conversation is "toy boy" since in many cases the female is older. The term gigolo is seldom heard in America anymore- my daughter wanted to know what was meant by the song title "Just a gigolo." There is no evidence that "tart" came from "sweetheart," but it is not unlikely; it also could come from sweet tarts. "Applied (originally endearingly) to a girl or woman (often one of immoral character." (OED) This suggests that the word was not derogatory when first applied. Tart in the sense of pastry appeared as tarta in medieval Latin, and was in English before the 16th C applied to fruit as well as to meat tarts. Tart in the sense discussed here first appeared in print with regard to a court case in the Morning Post newspaper, 1887. "The paragraph... referred to the young ladies in the chorus at the Avenue and spoke of them as 'tarts.' It was suggested on the part of the prosecution that the word 'tart' really meant a person of immoral character." (OED) This passage suggests that the term is older, but has not yet been found in older writing. |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 04 Mar 02 - 04:37 PM "Toy boy" is I imagine derived by analogy from "dolly girl" - and on the assumption that "doxy" is derived from a word meaning "doll" that fits quite neatly, a return to the origins.
Actually the assumption that words just have one derivation is a bit suspect. It's a bit like the assumotion that a song has one origin. It can happen that two separate songs will merge, so that the song that ensues has two origins. I imagine that this happens with words as well.
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Herga Kitty Date: 04 Mar 02 - 04:38 PM I can't believe that no-one has yet mentioned the paradoxies who fly in to your rescue and then go down ....
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: JennieG Date: 04 Mar 02 - 09:22 PM 'Leman" is also an old word for paramour or sweetheart - does this mean she is a 'leman tart'? Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Date: 04 Mar 02 - 10:40 PM Very old word. I have not heard it in North America. Is it still used anywhere? |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: JennieG Date: 04 Mar 02 - 11:16 PM I came across leman in a book by Anya Seton set in Elizabethan England - it was apparently in use then. I had never heard the word before so went searching in a dictionary; I don't know when it ceased being common usage. The context of use in that book led me to assume it referred to an unmarried woman who was involved in a sexual relationship with a man but possibly not as formal an arrangement as being a mistress would have been. Mind you I really like the term "floozie" for someone's light-of-love. Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: katlaughing Date: 05 Mar 02 - 12:29 AM Herga Kitty, LMAO!! That was a good one! "Toy boy" just doesn't have the ring of contempt as doxy, imo; sounds too cutesy and no kind of threat to another male's territory, as a doxy might threaten another woman's marriage. Following on Kendall's comment, I think I'd prefer calling them "friggers!" Was the fellow in Romeo and Juliet really calling for a couple of doxies to bring the poxie on both their houses? And, would a doxy be the type of kinky woman who would get into bagels and "locks?" Would she have the moxy to pick the lox at Ft. Knox? *groan* stop me now!**BG** |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: The Pooka Date: 05 Mar 02 - 12:46 AM Nono, kat! I'm laughing too! Don't stop!! :)
I think I bought a pair o'doxies m'self once, long long ago... |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: katlaughing Date: 05 Mar 02 - 01:02 AM You asked for it! Would a doxy have come from a school of hard knocks? And, dare I say it, does a doxy have to get off someone's rocks? And, if they are like Spaw, does she have to do it with her white sox on while on woks/walks? Or does it machs nicht? How do men feel about a moxy who talks all of the time? Is a moxy a fox with a box? No, no nnnnoooooo...stop meeee! |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: Murray MacLeod Date: 05 Mar 02 - 01:08 AM Ross' post aboave about the possible Oriental derivation of the word strikes a chord with me. I can remember reading in some book somewhere at some time in my mis-spent youth, that the finest cigars were reputed to be those that had been "rolled on the thighs of Turkish doxies". Presumably in pre-Cuban days. I had never come across the word before, and it has always stuck in my memory. It woouldn't be the first Arabic word to slide into the English language through the back door. Murray |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: katlaughing Date: 05 Mar 02 - 01:17 AM Okay, seriously, going by that clue, Murray, I did find this in a glossary for the Beggar's Opera: "Doxies: a "doxy" is a prostitute or mistress. Here the term is used in reference to the women of a Turkish harem." Might also note, Dachshunds are often referred to as Dachsies.:-) |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: The Pooka Date: 05 Mar 02 - 01:24 AM katstilllaughing - *LOL* - heeheeheehee - Bravo! But a Doxy with the Poxy, boys, I tell yez to beware. I gotta stick with the Dockside interpretation above, and the lyrics - Wrap me up in me oilskins and jumper, No more on the Dox I'll be seen.... btw there's a Rex Stout/Nero Wolfe novel "Death of a Doxy." / Just thought I'd throw that in, for the literary scholars... |
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Subject: RE: What is a 'Doxy'? From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 05 Mar 02 - 10:32 AM Well, Les Barker has told us all about the problems dachshunds have in their love life." (And Les is in the States at present I think - don't miss him if you have a chance.
But I can't agree about doxy having "a ring of contempt" -In fcat I think it normally carries a touch of appreciation. True enough, a doxy, (however defined) "might threaten another woman's marriage". But the more likely term to be applied to her in this context would be something like trollop or strumpet.
(What a strange spell checker Inhave - it doesn't think there is such a word as strumpet. Or doxy for that matter. No problem with trollop though.)
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