"female pudenda," 1535, apparently a variant of malkin (q.v.) in its sense of "mop." Meaning "artificial vagina or 'counterfeit hair for a woman's privy parts' " is attested from 1617. According to "The Oxford Companion to the Body," the custom of wearing merkins dates from c.1450, was associated with prostitutes, and was to disguise either pubic hair shaved off to exterminate body lice or evidence of venereal disease.
Comments by sashamd
sashamd commented on the word aseity
Existence originating from and having no source other than itself.
September 8, 2009
sashamd commented on the word brahminism
The attitude or conduct typical of a social or cultural elite.
March 17, 2009
sashamd commented on the word quaintrelle
Female equivalent of a fop
April 23, 2008
sashamd commented on the word libratory
Or your Conservative friend born in October...
April 17, 2008
sashamd commented on the word libratory
A very slow oscillation, real or apparent, of a satellite as viewed from the larger celestial body around which it revolves.
March 14, 2008
sashamd commented on the word legerdemain
c) a dieter's dream
February 22, 2008
sashamd commented on the word merkin
"female pudenda," 1535, apparently a variant of malkin (q.v.) in its sense of "mop." Meaning "artificial vagina or 'counterfeit hair for a woman's privy parts' " is attested from 1617. According to "The Oxford Companion to the Body," the custom of wearing merkins dates from c.1450, was associated with prostitutes, and was to disguise either pubic hair shaved off to exterminate body lice or evidence of venereal disease.
September 20, 2007
sashamd commented on the word archetypist
I love this! What a needed neologism.
April 4, 2007
sashamd commented on the word callipygian
I like big words and I cannot lie!
January 22, 2007
sashamd commented on the word autochtonous
You're clearly right.
January 22, 2007