When & why did the word "muff" become a crass euphemism for a woman's crotch area?
from JennaR8r@lemmy.dbzer0.com to nostupidquestions@lemmy.ca on 26 Apr 18:20
https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/67818974

I grew up with the word “hand muff,” a cozy fluffy tube to keep hands warm in winter.

Nowadays whenever someone says “muff,” someone else giggles 🙄

#nostupidquestions

threaded - newest

Kolanaki@pawb.social on 26 Apr 18:24 next collapse

I thought it came from the thing you have pictured. But for penis instead of hands. 🤷‍♂️

CallMeAl@piefed.zip on 26 Apr 18:26 next collapse

I use ear muffs to protect my ears from cold

edit: and in places it is popular to eat muffaletta

edgemaster72@lemmy.world on 26 Apr 18:39 next collapse

a cozy fluffy tube

I think that’s your why. As to when, no idea. I first heard people talk about “eating muff” or “muff diving” going back at least 25 years, but I’m sure it’s probably much older than that.

gramie@lemmy.ca on 27 Apr 02:19 collapse

I’m pretty sure I heard the term “muff diving” in high school in the 1970s.

dgdft@lemmy.world on 26 Apr 18:39 next collapse

Circa 1699 per OED. Figurative extension of the existing meaning.

grammarphobia.com/blog/2017/03/muff.html

swordgeek@lemmy.ca on 26 Apr 19:38 collapse

I remember it being common by the late '70s.