Word for Word: A Magpie's Nest...

FIRST, A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:

Dear Reader,

You may have noticed that, in recent weeks, SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER has become increasingly explicit. I would like to remind you, however, that, from day one, the subtitle of this blog has read: "Explications and Elucidations." Interestingly enough, the adjective explicit and the noun explication are derived from the same Latin verb: explicare, meaning "to unfold." That said, in order to adhere to the task at hand, it behooves me to be as explicit as possible.
Thank you for your continued support.

Regards,
Christopher Devine

Editor, SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER

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AND NOW....

Pornographic Etymology: Muff

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word Muff (noun, vulgar slang) as, "The female pubic hair."

The word (with the aforementioned definition) first appeared in the year 1699 in The New Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Terms and was defined as "a Woman's Secrets."

1707 was a pivotal year for the word Muff. In this momentous year, a gentleman by the name of J.S. Farmer elucidated the meaning of this word, and we are forever indebted to him. In a collection of "Merry Songs and Ballads," Mr. Farmer wrote:

The Muff between her Haunches,
Resembl'd a Mag-Pye's Nest.



There you have it!!