"Horny"

[Douglas G. Wilson]

>Ca.1963, IIRC, the late, great Raven McDavid reviewed a slang dictionary for
>Language. He noted that the compiler claimed that the word, "horny," in the
>sexual sense was "of unknown origin." McDavid then stated that anyone
>familiar with common farm animals knows the origin of the sexual sense of
>"horny." Further deponent sayeth not.
>
>Does anyone know what in hell he was talking about?

I don't know for sure. Maybe I haven't been familiar enough with the animals.

Me, I'd naively assume "horny" < "horn" = "erection" as shown in HDAS.

Perhaps it's just that many animals (in season) have more conspicuous and
unconcealed sexual excitement than typical humans do?

-- Doug Wilson