4 ms·
Given that the wife of an Earl is still a countess, I am not sure about the rude word theory as cunt used to be a lot less taboo. The streets used by prostitute
by lotsofmangos 12y ago
Given that the wife of an Earl is still a countess, I am not sure about the rude word theory as cunt used to be a lot less taboo. The streets used by prostitutes throughout many towns in England were called Gropecunt Lane until well into the 1500's.
- ajcarpy2005 12y agoProstitutes have been taboo for quite some time so by association, that street name would be too. Interesting that it would be allowed as a public road name perhaps but I assume still taboo.
- abrowne 12y agoThat's a good point, and countess has a pretty early attestation. Thinking about French too, con is pretty close to comte, although I don't know the history, and con is not obscene like in English currently. The Wikipedia page on "Earl"[1] has a quote with citation agreeing with the theory. I wonder if that book has any more evidence. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl#Etymology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl#Etymology