beaver etymology

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retrosorter - 21 Nov 2006 19:00 GMT

Does the term "beaver" for female genitalia derive from its sense as a
"beard"? The OED shows this meaning for "beaver" emerging in the early
20th century. Also, does anyone know who was the first person to use it
in the genital sense. Someone suggested that Kurt Vonnegut was the
progenitor but he can't document it.

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John Dean - 21 Nov 2006 19:23 GMT

> Does the term "beaver" for female genitalia derive from its sense as
> a "beard"? The OED shows this meaning for "beaver" emerging in the
> early 20th century. Also, does anyone know who was the first person
> to use it in the genital sense. Someone suggested that Kurt Vonnegut
> was the progenitor but he can't document it.

OED's first two cites are:

1927 Immortalia 166 She took off her clothes From her head to her toes, And
a voice at the keyhole yelled, 'Beaver!' 1939 Joyce Finnegans Wake 537
Thou, Frick's Flame, Uden Sulfer, who strikest only on the marryd bokks,
enquick me if so be I did cophetuise milady's maid! In spect of her beavers
she is a womanly and sacret.

So Kurt is out of it, though a later cite suggests he coined "beaver mag".

OED has the 'genital' meaning as the second part of beaver3, the first part
being 'beard' so they seem to see it there rather than with the animal or
the face-guard.

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John Dean
Oxford

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ron radio - 22 Nov 2006 00:36 GMT

On that note, check out this video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCXsR2g_464

> > Does the term "beaver" for female genitalia derive from its sense as
> > a "beard"? The OED shows this meaning for "beaver" emerging in the
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> being 'beard' so they seem to see it there rather than with the animal or
> the face-guard.

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

beaver etymology