英语词汇pussy-willow的起源、历史背景-英语词源词典

词汇	pussy-willow
词源	pussy-willow n. popular name of a type of common American shrub or small tree, by 1835, a country or children's word, from pussy (n.1) + willow. So called for the small and very silky catkins it produces in early spring. Also sometimes pussy-cat (1850). Entries linking to pussy-willow pussy n.1 "cat," by 1690s, a diminutive of puss (n.1), also used of a rabbit (1715). As a term of endearment for a girl or woman, from 1580s (also used of effeminate men), and applied childishly to anything soft and furry. To play pussy was World War II RAF slang for "take advantage of cloud cover, jumping from cloud to cloud to shadow a potential victim or avoid recognition." willow n. Old English welig "willow," from Proto-Germanic wel- (source also of Old Saxon wilgia, Middle Dutch wilghe, Dutch wilg), probably from PIE root wel- (3) "to turn, revolve," with derivatives referring to curved, enclosing objects. The change in form to -ow (14c.) paralleled that of bellow and fellow. The more typical Germanic word for the tree is represented by withy. updated on April 28, 2021
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pussy-willow n.