fanny
/ˈfæni/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.47 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
name
A diminutive of the female given name Frances, itself also becoming a given name.
noun
The female genitalia.
Australian usage; New Zealand usage; British usage; Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- ""My name is Frances. Don't call me Fanny!" "Why not?" "Because it's too absurd to be endured! What does the mere sound of Fanny suggest? A flirting dancing creature - plump and fair, and playful and pretty!""
- "They listened to the sound of Fanny’s retreating footsteps. ‘Well, well!’ said Marcus. ‘Oh, take no notice Jess. You know what our Frances Maud is like! It’s nothing to cry about!’ To her humiliation Jessamy found there were tears trickling down her cheeks. ‘Always getting worked up about something, Fanny is.’ – page 105: As she did so Fanny put down her book , stood up and stretched her arms, and at once Jessamy noticed a difference. It was the same Fanny but not the Fanny who climbed trees and tore her frock playing in the garden. It was as though a young lady film had settled over her, neatening her unruly hair, which was tied back with a large black bow, and primly composing her small mouth."
- ""I spose you want to be a cattleboy," drawled the multicolored beard whose name was Carrol Day, a curiously feminine name, thought Martin, not yet acquaintanced with the bearded Marions, Fannys and Abbys of Texas who, saddled by their unthinking mothers with dainty names, built savagely masculine frames of character."
- "Her dress was so short you could nearly see her fanny."
- "Children, sit down on your fannies, and eat your lunch."
- "Get off your fanny and get back to work!"
Etymology
19th century. Ultimately from Fanny, pet form of the name Frances. Compare dick, John Thomas, mickey.
Usage
- Australian usage
- New Zealand usage
- British usage
- Countable
- Uncountable
- Canadian usage
- American usage
- Informal