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Help[Facts] Re: Names that have a "new" meaning
in reply to a message by Caprice
Fanny and Dick are no longer popular because they have become eponyms: the name was used to create a new word. "Dick" has been a slang term for "penis" in English since at least 1891 and probably longer; "fanny" has been slang for "vulva" in British English since at least 1879, and for "buttocks" in American English at least since 1920. I've always thought that the American slang term arose from American soliders during World War I hearing British soldiers talk about women's "fannies" and not quite understanding the reference! :)
Lagina of course only reminds people of "vagina" when you see it written, as it's normally pronounced "lah-JEE-nuh", not "lah-JYE-nuh". And it's always been very rare.
In the USA, you could add Peter to your list, as that name, like dick, is a slang term for "penis" in modern times. And Dorcas is avoided by modern parents because of the slang term "dork", which has been in use since 1967 as a term for "stupid person", and which itself may originally have been an alteration of "dick".
Lagina of course only reminds people of "vagina" when you see it written, as it's normally pronounced "lah-JEE-nuh", not "lah-JYE-nuh". And it's always been very rare.
In the USA, you could add Peter to your list, as that name, like dick, is a slang term for "penis" in modern times. And Dorcas is avoided by modern parents because of the slang term "dork", which has been in use since 1967 as a term for "stupid person", and which itself may originally have been an alteration of "dick".
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