kicky-wicky

English

Etymology

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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.
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