Definition of fanny

The origins of the word "fanny" as a euphemism for the female behind are subject to much debate, and its origin is not entirely clear. One popular theory suggests that the word derives from the term "fan-t-t-ys," a slang expression used in the 16th century to refer to the clothing that covered the lower back and buttocks. "Fan-t-t-ys" was said to be a contraction of the phrase "fair nursies," a term used to describe buttocks that were plump and round, like those of a nursing infant. Another theory proposes that "fanny" is a corruption of the medieval French word "fampnee," which meant "pudendum," or the female genitalia. This etymology suggests that "fanny" was originally used as a slang term for the vagina before it was shortened to refer exclusively to the buttocks. Ultimately, the true origin of "fanny" remains unclear, and the term's meaning and usage have evolved significantly over time. While the word was once widely used as a derogatory term for women in British slang, it has since been reclaimed and is now rarely used in that context. Today, "fanny" is more commonly used in British English as a slang term for a woman's behind, often used playfully and without malice.