Does anyone know the derivation of the word "twat"?

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We've been discussing this in the office, and nobody seems to know where the word originated.

Could ILX provide the answer please?

― C J (C J), Thursday, 16 January 2003 15:52 (twenty-three years ago)

"Twat - 1656, of unknown origin. A general term of abuse since 1920s."

― Archel (Archel), Thursday, 16 January 2003 15:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Hopefully its origin isn’t onomatopoeic.

― Bryan (Bryan), Thursday, 16 January 2003 16:00 (twenty-three years ago)

A clear example of Viking influence, "twat" comes from the Old Norse "thviet," meaning a cut or slit. In Old English, it became "thwat," and finally around 1500, "twat." It's first use in print dates from 1660, when an unnamed poet cursed an acquaintance by saying that all he deserved in life was "an old nun's twat." A century later, certain doctors were contemptuously dismissed as "twat-scowerers." Since then, the word has been printed only rarely, though a few modern writers have used it, notably novelist Norman Mailer and feminist Germaine Greer.

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 16 January 2003 16:03 (twenty-three years ago)

Could "twat-scowerers" = "cockfarmers"?

― Bryan (Bryan), Thursday, 16 January 2003 16:05 (twenty-three years ago)

My sources are rub compared to the Nipper's, as always :)

― Archel (Archel), Thursday, 16 January 2003 16:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Thank you for solving the mystery. I'm fascinated by how language evolves and where words come from.

My googling skillz got me nowhere with this - but as usual the fountain of knowledge that is ilx has answered my question. I did discover however that 'vagina' is what the Romans called a scabbard. Ew.

― C J (C J), Thursday, 16 January 2003 17:07 (twenty-three years ago)

I never pick til the scabs get hard.

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 16 January 2003 17:08 (twenty-three years ago)

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