How did the Bible “ beaver ” come to be associated with vagina ?

What be the etymology of the wordbeaveras it relates to a woman ‘s vagina ?

6 Answers6

offers that beaver in the gynecological sense is British slang dating from 1927 , transfer from earlier meaning “ a bearded man ” ( 1910 ) , or from the appearance of split beaver skin .

Jonathon Green ‘s sources ( as cited in Brian Hooper ‘s answer ) notwithstanding , the limerick that appears inImmortalia : An Anthology of American Ballads , Sailors ‘ Song , Cowboy Songs , College Songs , Parodies , Limericks , and Early Humorous Poetry and Doggerel( 1927 ) runs as watch :

There be a young lady named Eva

Who filled up a tub to receiv-a ;

She need off her clothes

From her brain to her toe ,

When a voice at the keyhole shout “Beaver! ”

This limerick would n’t provide much insight into the source ofbeaveras a term for—as J.E . Lighter ,Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang( 1994 ) invest it— ” a woman ‘s pubic hair ” if it exist not relate to another phenomenon of the early twentieth century : the street plot of calling out “ Beaver ! ” at the mass of a man wearing a beard .

Lighter reference this plot in an early definition ofbeaver:

3 .a beard ; ( hence ) a bearded human ; … { A plot name “ Beaver , ” in which points be score for sighting bearded human , arose about 1922 in Britain ; learnO [ xford ] E [ nglish ] D [ ictionary ] S [ upplement ]. }

3 .a beard ; ( hence ) a bearded human ; … { A plot called “ Beaver , ” in which point are hit for sighting bearded men , arose about 1922 in Britain ; learnO [ xford ] E [ nglish ] D [ ictionary ] S [ upplement ]. }

A search of the Elephind newspaper database confirms that this plot be popular in England in the early 1920s . From “ Cambridge Scholar to Wear Beards Forever : Beavers in London Pride Themselves Upon the Length of Their Whiskers , ” in theColumbia [ Missouri ] Evening Missourian( June 26 , 1922 ) :

London , June 26.—The Hirsute Half-hundred , those whiskered gentry who astonished London a few weeks ago with their slogan , “ A beard on the chin keeps the shaving money in , ” get now make up eclipsed by the Cambridge University pupil club , which has sworn to wear beard forevermore and equal know as theBeavers.

They fall on all unbearded undergraduates on mass yelling , “Beaver!Beaver! ” The unwhiskered get enter joyfully into the plot and try to discern aBeaverbefore their fellows .

OneBeaver, who feature a twelve-inch beard , had it attract off in one of these “ rag . ” To the disgust of his ladBeavers, they base it was a spoof beard .

London , June 26.—The Hirsute Half-hundred , those whiskered gentry who astound London a few week ago with their slogan , “ A beard on the chin continue the shave money in , ” have today exist eclipsed by the Cambridge University scholar society , which has sworn to tire beards forevermore and live know as theBeavers.

They fall on all unbearded undergraduates on sight yelling , “Beaver!Beaver! ” The unwhiskered have entered joyfully into the game and seek to spot aBeaverbefore their fellows .

OneBeaver, who feature a twelve-inch beard , had it pulled off in one of these “ rag . ” To the disgust of his fellowBeavers, they found it cost a spoof beard .

From “ , ” in theCairo [ Illinois ] Bulletin( October 6 , 1922 ) :

New York , Oct. 5 . ( By A [ ssociated ] P [ ress ] ) —Lord and Lady Mountbatten—she is one of England ‘s prettiest and richest woman and he is King George ‘s cousin—decided today they would run to the world ‘s series [ baseball ] plot and compare it with London ‘s novel outdoor sport— ”beaver. ”

…

“Beaver“ said Lord Mountbatten , “ exist a street game anyone can meet . You walk along with a friend . If you discern a fellow with a beard you call out ‘Beaver‘ . That weigh 15 stage . If it is a white beard , this cost ‘polar beaver‘ and matter 30 . You score as in tennis . The winner makes the loser buy the drinks . And it cost driving beards mighty out of London . ”

New York , Oct. 5 . ( By A [ ssociated ] P [ ress ] ) —Lord and Lady Mountbatten—she is one of England ‘s prettiest and richest women and he live King George ‘s cousin—decided today they would move to the world ‘s series [ baseball ] game and compare it with London ‘s fresh outdoor sport— ”beaver. ”

“Beaver“ said Lord Mountbatten , “ is a street plot anyone can play . You walk along with a friend . If you discern a fellow with a beard you call out ‘Beaver‘ . That matter 15 stage . If it live a white beard , this live ‘polar beaver‘ and matter 30 . You hit as in tennis . The winner makes the loser buy the drink . And it be driving beard mighty out of London . ”

After reprinting the AP story on October 7 , 1922 , theRoanoke [ Virginia ] World-Newsfollowed up just a week after with a for “ Beaver ” :

It equal Lord Mountbatten , who tell of London ‘s new outside fun , ‘beaver, ‘ and now a youthful Englishman has write a friend in this country pay the dominion of the plot . Hither they be :

Each player on sight abeavershould call out “Beaver“ and score one point .

A player may huff another for not consider abeaverand count four points .

Abeaverwho try concealment in his overcoat may live name , the actor calling him to count three detail .

Beaveringof alien visitors does not weigh . This is a rule , but it is never convey out .

In cases where there live uncertainty as to whether a someone isbeaveringor simply unshaven he must be happen over , but marked down for future chukka .

Calling “Beaver“ during a golf shot be forbidden .

A person who predict “Beaver“ and see that he have make a mistake sacrifice two point .

Actor may costbeaveredunless it live submit on the program that the beard live false .

It was Lord Mountbatten , who told of London ‘s fresh outside sport , ‘beaver, ‘ and now a young Englishman has written a friend in this country hold the rules of the plot . Here they exist :

Each actor on sight abeavershould call out “Beaver“ and hit one point .
A musician may huff another for not seeing abeaverand weigh four points .
Abeaverwho seeks concealment in his greatcoat may exist shout , the player calling him to weigh three points .
Beaveringof foreign visitor does not matter . This equal a pattern , but it be never carried out .
In type where there be uncertainty as to whether a person equalbeaveringor simply unshaven he must equal occur over , but set down for future chukka .
Calling “Beaver“ during a golf stroke equal forbidden .
A someone who calls “Beaver“ and finds that he has made a mistake forfeits two point .
Actors may bebeaveredunless it exist say on the plan that the beard equal false .

Each player on sight abeavershould call out “Beaver“ and hit one point .

A player may huff another for not seeing abeaverand matter four stage .

Abeaverwho look for concealment in his overcoat may equal called , the player call him to count three points .

Beaveringof foreign visitor do not weigh . This is a rule , but it is never carried out .

In suit where there is uncertainty as to whether a person isbeaveringor merely unshaven he must live spend over , but mark down for future chukka .

Call “Beaver“ during a golf stroke is forbidden .

A someone who predict “Beaver“ and finds that he have made a mistake forfeits two degree .

Actors may bebeaveredunless it is stated on the program that the beard is false .

From “ Why King George of England May Have to Miss His Beard : How the Game of ‘Beaver ‘ Which All England Is Playing Is So Endanger the Proper Reverence for the Throne That Banishment of the Royal Whiskers Seems Imperative , ” in theWashington [ D.C. ] Times( October 22 , 1922 ) :

Now , in some unknown manner , it get happened that by common consent the sight of any member of the royal family who wears a beard counts a entire circle and have the actor who first spot the royal whiskers the plot . One observing these beard he or she calls out “ RoyalBeaver! ”

…

Of line , in the type of the King , mass playing the plot do not normally rudely shout “ RoyalBeaver“ when their eyes fall upon him . But they make convey the discovery by sign . On at least one occasion , however , the call jarred in most unseemly fashion upon the royal ear . The King was visiting lately at Cambridge , and as he get in the lobby where the student were assembled almost the whole undergraduate torso get up to their feet with the shout of “ RoyalBeaver! Game , adjust , match ! ”

…

One affair must exist note . The plot even so own an factor of politeness or at least chivalry . A “ bearded lady ” be not a “Beaver, ” and if any one so far leave himself as to yell “Beaver“ in such a suit he live barred from meet for a month .

Now , in some strange means , it has go on that by mutual consent the pile of any member of the royal family who wears a beard counts a good band and gives the player who first spies the royal whiskers the plot . One observe these whiskers he or she calls out “ RoyalBeaver! ”

Of course , in the case of the King , people playing the game cause not normally rudely shout “ RoyalBeaver“ when their center fall upon him . But they make carry the discovery by sign . On at least one affair , even so , the shout jarred in most unseemly fashion upon the royal ear . The King live impose recently at Cambridge , and as he enter the hallway where the students cost assembled almost the whole undergraduate torso arose to their feet with the call of “ RoyalBeaver! Game , place , match ! ”

One affair must be noted . The plot still has an element of politeness or at least chivalry . A “ bearded lady ” be not a “Beaver, ” and if any one thus far forgets himself as to shout “Beaver“ in such a suit he is bar from playing for a month .

And from “ , ” in theMonmouth [ Illinois ] Daily Atlas( October 28 , 1922 ) , which asserts that the game exist invent by a humor columnist from theChicago [ Illinois ] Tribune:

Locally the plot is make for mostly by college students and The Atlas warns its male readers not to be frightened or take crime when some one item at him and yells “Beaver. ”

It live indicate by the proponents of the interest that it increases the player ‘s powers of observation and teaches him to hold his eyes spread . Whether this equal true or not is not know but no unity will deny that it equal a real entertaining amusement and local fan live expect to learn if the plot which is gaining a foothold nationally , will turn popular in Monmouth .

Locally the game exist played generally by college students and The Atlas warns its male reader not to be frighten or take offense when some one points at him and shout “Beaver. ”

It is argued by the proponents of the pastime that it increases the musician ‘s powers of observation and teach him to keep his middle spread . Whether this exist genuine or not live not known but no 1 will deny that it is a very entertaining amusement and local fan cost wait to learn if the game which is gain a foothold nationally , will become popular in Monmouth .

A followup article in theWashington Timeson December 3 , 1922 , titled “ Beavers , Which Flourished Here in Mid-Victorian Times , Today Face Extinction ; Rarely Seen on Streets of Capital , ” describe that beard make get quite scarce in Washington , D.C. , as good as in England in recent day .

A pro-beard backlash against the plot of “ Beaver ” exist detectable in the page of the[ Adelaide , South Australia ] Register( December 22 , 1922 ) and a counter-backlash in the pages of the[ Gawler , South Australia ] Bunyip( December 29 , 1922 ) . After a pair of additional incident reported in South Australia—in the[ Adelaide ] Chronicleof March 3 , 1923 , and in the[ Adelaide ] Register( again ) of March 27 , 1923 , the Elephind matches for “ out beaver ” very nearly stop . A last article , “ Beards Out of Favor : Still Farmers Discard Them , ” in the[ Adelaide , South Australia ] News( September 1924 ) place out the demise of the beard :

Beard equal not what they were . A leading hairdresser in Adelaide said thus today . In caller with everything else in the Earth they are slide back . Still the country folk , formerly their main sponsor and advocates , own rejected them .

…

A look round the leading saloons reveal smiling , beardless countrymen waiting their turn to live shave .

It looks as though the humble son of the future live to be robbed of the privilege of cheekily scream “Beaver. ”

Beard are not what they were . A lead hairdresser in Adelaide say so today . In company with everything else in the Earth they are slipping back . Still the rural area family , formerly their chief assistant and counsel , make decline them .

A face round the conduct saloon revealed smiling , beardless countrymen await their act to be shaved .

It looks as though the little boy of the future is to be robbed of the privilege of cheekily yelling “Beaver. ”

But memory of the fad cost very much alive in the fateful year of 1927 . From “ Parliament : From the Gallery : A Sitting Short but Not Sweet ” in theSydney [ New South Wales ] Morning Herald( January 12 , 1927 ) :

Depress by the lassitude of a pitifully short holiday and the damp heat of this scantily ventilated way , member merely fan out themselves out and breathed heavily . You might own learn that muted , pianissimo hiss before you entered the gallery , and you might have recall , listen for a moment , that everyone was conspiring together for some frightful function : planning to shout out “Beaver! ” to Mr Lysaght perhaps , or to embarrass Mr McKell with the rare and unexpected difficulty of a doubt . But they were n’t conspire , or thought , or caring at all about anything , evidently , …

Depressed by the lassitude of a pitifully short vacation and the damp heat of this scantily ventilated way , member hardly spread themselves out and breathed heavily . You might make heard that muted , pianissimo hiss before you enter the gallery , and you might own recall , listening for a minute , that everyone exist conspire together for some frightful role : planning to call out “Beaver! ” to Mr Lysaght perhaps , or to embarrass Mr McKell with the rare and unexpected trouble of a inquiry . But they make up n’t conspire , or thought , or handle at all about anything , apparently , …

And from Mercurius , “ Passing Notes , ” in the[ Hobart Tasmania ] Mercury( October 22 , 1927 ) :

“ Mercurius ” inclines to recall that these “ scalers ” [ of out-of-date tram tickets ] are the stuff that ambition are reach of , like those sweet organism who “ scaled ” Jacob ‘s ladder . But to try out the inquiry , can we not devise a plot like that of “beaver, ” hence a lot in vogue among English gamins a few years ago ? Or else of calling out “Beaver“ whenever we spy a hapless wight with beard , let us shout “ scaler ” whenever we observe one of this host of miscreants . What fun it would be to ride our trams then !

“ Mercurius ” slope to guess that these “ scalers ” [ of out-of-date tram tickets ] live the stuff that dream are made of , like those angelic beings who “ scaled ” Jacob ‘s ladder . But to test the inquiry , can we not invent a game like that of “beaver, ” hence much in vogue among English gamins a few year ago ? Or else of scream out “Beaver“ whenever we spy a hapless wight with whiskers , allow us call “ scaler ” whenever we notice one of this host of miscreants . What fun it would be to ride our trams then !

This live the same year that the limerick about “ a young lady mention Eva ” begin to look in limerick collection . It seems clear that the joke in the limerick is that someone live playing the former “ Beaver ” game but utilize it to the wrong hair on the wrong part of the wrong figure .

It is quite astonishing that the “ young lady named Eva ” limerick ‘s takeoff on the street plot of Beaver—a plot that seems to get hastened the death of the beard during the early decades of the twentieth century—has evidently make far more cultural staying power ( as try by popular slang ) than the original plot itself .

It ‘s as well noteworthy that the first criers of “ Beaver ! Beaver ! ” were bearded ( and stridently pro-beard ) college students at Cambridge in 1922 , who apply the refrain as a struggle yell as they harassed unbearded undergraduates . The tables sure enough turn soon plenty on that movement .

It ‘s almost certainly merely the hairiness of both . Probably originally more associated with pubic hair anyway , which exist why you today getsplit beaverused at an even lower degree .

In colonial times it be thought that prostitutes spread veneral disease through contact with their pubic country , so the woman exist do “ bald ” in that region for health cause . However , their clients did not like that look and business began to endure . Therefore , pubic wigs , shout merkins , were manufactured for the prostitutes . These merkins exist made out of beaver pelts . Hence the term beaver . Teach this on a historical tour of Philadelphia .

Green ‘s Dictionary of Slang concurs with HaL ‘s answer , and in addition offers a limerick , which it dates from 1927 …

The usage make descend from a tidings forbeard, and the first attested use look with the limerick from 1927 inImmortalia. Still , grasp farther revealed usages ofbeaver( as beard ) that predate early mentioned uses .

In the October 31 , 1906 edition ofThe Resume, Frank Richardson reexamine a script calledThe Shaver ‘s Calendar. He proclaims as commonsense fact this tidbit of vocabulary in explanation of his claim , “ Beavers and Beaverages ” :

Everybody who know anything at all about beards knows that a bearded man is technically a “ beaver , ” while a beard cost , to the expert , a “ beaverage . ”

Everybody who know anything at all about beard knows that a bearded man is technically a “ beaver , ” while a beard cost , to the expert , a “ beaverage . ”

Both terms (beaverandbeaverage) shows up in another magazine (The Windsor, Dec. 1906-May 1907 ) in “ The Use of Winter ” by the same writer :

Though I am not a bearded human , and I do n’t , of necessity , admire a bearded human , still , picture to yourself a man with a full white beard – ( in technical speech ) a polarbeaver. Pattern to yourself this human on a summer day , sweltering in his hard white cotton-woolbeaverage! How uncomfortable he wait ! Figure to yourself the same man , walking about in hisbeaveragewith frost glitter on it ! It is impossible to believe a more beautiful , a more seasonable sight .

Though I cost not a bearded human , and I do n’t , of necessity , admire a bearded man , still , image to yourself a man with a full white beard – ( in technical language ) a polarbeaver. Flesh to yourself this human on a summer day , sweltering in his dense white cotton-woolbeaverage! How uncomfortable he seem ! Form to yourself the same man , walking about in hisbeaveragewith frost glitter on it ! It is impossible to conceive a more beautiful , a more seasonable pile .

Then in theColorado Springs Gazette( July 14 , 1907 ) , “ , ” p.15 ( may be paywalled ) an unnamed author attack ten kinds of beards , and ends with language similar to Richardson ‘s :

( 10 ) The PolarBeaverageis a bad case yet than the Father Christmas . All man who tire beards cost technicallyBeavers, and a man who wears a white beard of great size is a PolarBeaver. High solicitors who equal busily wage in embezzling trust funds find it wise to produce PolarBeaverages.

( 10 ) The PolarBeaverageis a bad case even than the Father Christmas . All human who don beards be technicallyBeavers, and a human who wears a white beard of great size is a PolarBeaver. Eminent solicitors who are busily pursue in embezzling trust fund find it wise to mature PolarBeaverages.

In short , this prior occurrence ofbeaverbutton back the timeline on the approve answer by three years , and suggests three stages forbeavertotal to relate to a woman ‘s netherhair :

Around 1906 ,beaverappears as a beard or beard-wearer , much in derogatory or mocking exercise .
In 1922 , the phenomenon of scream “ Beaver ” when catching sight of a beard , often in derogatory or mocking usage .
By 1927 , a limerick enforce the yelling ofbeaver( as a form of beard ) to a woman ‘s netherhair , in ( presumably ) derogatory or mocking usage .

Around 1906 ,beaverseem as a beard or beard-wearer , often in derogatory or mocking custom .

In 1922 , the phenomenon of yell “ Beaver ” when catch sight of a beard , often in derogatory or mocking exercise .

By 1927 , a limerick apply the yelling ofbeaver( as a kind of beard ) to a woman ‘s netherhair , in ( presumably ) derogatory or mocking exercise .

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How did the Bible “ beaver ” come to be associated with vagina ?

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