pussyfoot

EnglishEdit

WOTD – 2 October 2010

EtymologyEdit

From pussy (“feline”) +‎ foot; because of the light and careful tread of cats.

PronunciationEdit

(UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpʊs.iˌfʊt/
Audio (AU) (file)

VerbEdit

pussyfoot (third-person singular simple present pussyfoots, present participle pussyfooting, simple past and past participle pussyfooted)

(intransitive) To move silently, stealthily, or furtively.
(intransitive) To act timidly or cautiously.
- 2004, Jeph Jacques, Fripp and Eno‎^[1]:
  — So are you going to practice what you’re preaching and stop pussyfooting around with Faye?
  — Hey, I’m 0 for 1 when it comes to practicing what I preach. These feet stay pussied for the time being.
(intransitive) To use euphemistic language or circumlocution.
- 1946, Tennessee Williams, The Unsatisfactory Supper:
  "Then you talk up! And plain! What's there to be so pussyfooting about?"