/ˈfæni/
Origin19th century. Ultimately from Fanny, pet form of the name Frances. Compare dick, John Thomas, mickey.
- A diminutive of the female given name Frances, itself also becoming a given name.
“"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 p”
“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 ”
“"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 Ab”
- Canada, US, countable, informal, uncountableThe buttocks; arguably the most nearly polite of several euphemisms.
“Children, sit down on your fannies, and eat your lunch.”
“Get off your fanny and get back to work!”
- UK, slangMess kettle or cooking pot.
“I put on a big fanny of Ky, that is a straight-sided pot of cocoa for them returning.”
FormsFannys(plural) · Fannie(alternative) · fannies(plural)