plural of pussy; cats (informal); vulgar slang for female genitalia
from pussy, possibly from Low German pūs or imitative of cat sounds
The word 'pussy' for cats is much older than its vulgar meaning - it started as an innocent pet name for cats before acquiring other connotations.
Reclaimed slur originating in gendered animal epithets; historically used to demean both women and men coded as feminine. Etymology links to cats, but weaponized as sexual/gendered insult across centuries.
Avoid in casual contexts given slur history. Use 'cats' for animals; if reclaiming in feminist contexts, center intentionality and community consent.
["cats","felines"]
Feminist reclamation of gendered slurs is strategic self-definition; honor that agency when the word appears in that context.
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