The word 'douche', with that spelling, is a French word referring to a jet of water used to clean the body, or inside a body part or to be used for medical purposes. It is also, in this capacity, referring to a device to be used for this application.
The word comes from the Italian word 'doccia', which means 'shower' or 'water pipe'. This in turn came from the Latin ductin, which means 'drawing off', 'leading' or 'duct'. The Latin meanings refer to water, with 'drawing off' referring to 'drawing off water'. The word 'duct' that we now have, is basically a channel that water can flow along. The instrument used now is like a syringe.
In 1833 it became common for douche to refer specifically to cleaning the vagina. This application would use similar equipment that was previously used for douching. This may be one of the reasons why it became a derogatory expression, particularly in America. The term douche-bag is used as an offensive term often towards someone to call him or her stupid. With its correlation with a piece of equipment used for cleaning the vagina it is clear to see why it is offensive.
It has become more widely circulated as an insult in England, although it is often used as a joke insult. People often use it by impersonating an American to pretend like they are insulting someone in a highly offensive way when really it is not meant like that. In England the reason why it is insulting has become lost.
The word comes from the Italian word 'doccia', which means 'shower' or 'water pipe'. This in turn came from the Latin ductin, which means 'drawing off', 'leading' or 'duct'. The Latin meanings refer to water, with 'drawing off' referring to 'drawing off water'. The word 'duct' that we now have, is basically a channel that water can flow along. The instrument used now is like a syringe.
In 1833 it became common for douche to refer specifically to cleaning the vagina. This application would use similar equipment that was previously used for douching. This may be one of the reasons why it became a derogatory expression, particularly in America. The term douche-bag is used as an offensive term often towards someone to call him or her stupid. With its correlation with a piece of equipment used for cleaning the vagina it is clear to see why it is offensive.
It has become more widely circulated as an insult in England, although it is often used as a joke insult. People often use it by impersonating an American to pretend like they are insulting someone in a highly offensive way when really it is not meant like that. In England the reason why it is insulting has become lost.
