pussy

Everyday

1. (informal, childish) A cat or kitten, especially in nursery rhymes and baby talk: «pussy cat». tree →
2. (rude, slang) A vulgar word for a woman's private parts; it is offensive and not for school. tree →
3. (rude, slang) An insulting word for someone thought to be weak or cowardly. tree →
4. «Pussy willow»: a willow tree with soft, furry grey buds in spring. tree →

In the lessons

In nursery rhymes such as «Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?» and «Ding dong bell, pussy's in the well», and in «The Owl and the Pussy-cat», it simply means a cat. In older children's speech, the rude senses may be heard as swearing or insults; teachers treat them as bad language. Phrases: «pussy cat», «pussy willow», «Puss in Boots» (a related word).

Examples

• Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been? tree →
• The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat. tree →
• Grandma calls her kitten «little pussy». tree →
• The pussy willow by the stream has soft grey buds. tree →
• Puss in Boots is a clever cat in a fairy tale. tree →
• Calling someone «a pussy» is rude and unkind, so we don't say it. tree →
• ‘If only it were a little pussy cat!’ she said. tree →

Note

Plural «pussies». Register trap: the cat sense is old-fashioned and childish; many people now avoid the word because the rude senses are well known. Say «cat», «kitten», «kitty» instead. The rude senses are vulgar or insulting — do not use them at school. «Puss» = a cat (as in Puss in Boots).