kicky-wicky

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

kicky-wicky (plural kicky-wickies)

1. (dated, endearing) Spouse.
   • c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:

     Parolles: He wears his honour in a box, unseen
     That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home
     Spending his manly marrow in her arms

   • 1909, W. J. M. Starkie, The Acharnians of Aristophanes, Macmillan and co., page 209:

     What a laughable request the bride urges so earnestly !—to wit, that her kicky-wicky may bide cosily at home.

   • [1991, Patrick O'Brian, The Fortune of War, W. W. Norton & Company,, →ISBN, page 195:

     ‘And pray what is the significance of kicky-wicky?’
     Jack took it and his face grew paler still with anger: this was...a most private letter]

   • 1986, James L. Calderwood, The Properties of Othello, →ISBN, page 77:

     Manly marrow must be protected at all costs: expend it on kicky-wickies and you will not only lose your masculinity but very likely become somewhat kicky-wicky yourself.