Expert: Ted Nesbitt - 3/31/2007

Question
What is the derivation of pussy-foot?  Curious how it entered the language.

Answer
Andrew --

According to "The Oxford English Dictionary" [OED] -- the "bible" of the etymological world -- the word originated in the United States, first appearing in print in the "Atlanta Constitution" in March, 1903.

The OED traces the origins of words and phrases back to the first time they appear in WRITTEN form, which usually means that they were SPOKEN long before they were actually written.  Of course, there are exceptions to this general rule, because some writers actually "coin" words and expression for their written work.

I am pasting in below the complete OED record of the earliest usages of the word, as an INTRANSITIVE VERB.  Its usage as a noun came a little later.  In addition, the noun "pussyfooter" also is derived from the verb form.

I hope this answers your question.

Ted Nesbitt

From "The Oxford English Dictionary" --

. intr. To tread softly or lightly to avoid being noticed; to proceed warily; to conceal one's opinions or plans; to behave evasively or timidly. Also with it.

1903 Atlanta Constitution 20 Mar. 3 Vice President Charles Warren Fairbanks is pussy-footing it around Washington. 1916 [see PUSSYFOOT n. 1]. 1918 C. SANDBURG Cornhuskers 73 Who pussyfoots from desk to desk with a speaking forefinger? 1928 Observer 5 Feb. 18/1 While most papers are still ‘pussy-footing’ on the Presidency they called their editors together and afterwards announced a unanimous decision. 1931 E. THOMPSON Farewell to India 203 Trying to coax a horse to wait while I pussy-footed up to him. 1934 D. L. SAYERS Nine Tailors III. ii. 286 When I got out through the porch, I had to pussyfoot pretty gently over that beastly creaking gravel. 1949 Time 9 May 25/2 The ones who pussy~footed, side-stepped, straddled, carried water on both shoulders and compromised were left at home. 1951 E. PAUL Springtime in Paris viii. 155, I saw you pussyfooting around the exhibition. 1973 Times 16 Oct. 6/6 A Labour Government should not ‘pussyfoot around’ with reform of the Official Secrets Act but scrap it. 1975 B. WOOD Killing Gift (1976) IV. i. 129 Why do you pussy~foot, captain?.. Why not just say ityou think Jennifer Gilbert killed him. 1977 Jrnl. R. Soc. Arts CXXV. 626/1 We have ‘pussy-footed’ round this issue of profit for years. 1980 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 29 Mar. 937/1 It is time someone was honest enough to stop pussyfooting about.
   2. [f. PUSSYFOOT n. 2.] trans. To render teetotal; to impose prohibition on. rare.

1921 [implied in PUSSYFOOTING vbl. n.].
   So pussyfooting vbl. n. and ppl. a.

1921 Q. Rev. Jan. 100 The tyranny that would ensue from the Pussy-footing of Canada is too horrible to contemplate. 1928 Collier's 29 Dec. 38/1 The wrappings which..the pussy-footing politicians impose upon a candidate. 1956 G. P. KURATH in A. Dundes Mother Wit (1973) 107/2 Certain qualities seem to predominate... These are whole-bodied movements,..dynamics from pussy footing to violent acrobatics, rhythmic complexity. 1974 J. CLEARY Peter's Pence vi. 187 Authority had been given to the pussyfooting amateur..and nothing had gone right. 1976 Times 16 Feb. 8/7 In the face of political dogma, ‘pussy-footing’ and ill-informed decision making, is Mr Laker downhearted? 1977 Time 8 Aug. 1/1 To hell with what timid, pussy-footing diplomats think!