The word is certainly of old origin, and -- if memory serves -- it shows up in one of the first cases extant in the Northampton Co., VA records at the LVA. The vulgarity of the word, as well as others associated with it, are explored in rather graphic detail by Lisa Lindquist Dorr in her book, dissertation (UVA), and an article in the JSH, all centered around "White Women and Rape." Jim Watkinson James D. Watkinson History Department Virginia Commonwealth University To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html