When Did Breasts Start Being Called Boobies?
An Intensive Analysis of the Terms Relating to Breasts and Sexual Wellbeing and What They Imply
“Boobies.” It’s a funny word, right? Maybe it makes you giggle. It seems less awkward than breasts to mention it. But where did this word come from? And why do so many people use it?
It didn’t come out of nowhere. It has been there in one form or the other for centuries and the history behind it is not only intricate but also informative to most people.
So… At what point did people start referring to the breasts as boobies? And what does that tell us about the way society has dealt with women’s bodies?
Let’s get into the juicy stuff.
Where Did the Word Boobies Come From?
Baby Talk & Sound Symbolism
Most of the linguists have suggested that words like boob and boobies are associated with baby talk. Think about it:
● Babies will say ba, boo, or buh when they are hungry or when they are trying to get their mother.
● These soft, repetitive sounds are comforting and instinctual.
● The double ‘b’ sound is typical of early language (like mama, dada, baba).
It would therefore be understandable that boobies could have developed from the natural sounds made by babies while nursing. It’s sweet. It’s soft. It’s closely related to comfort and care.
But then…
1600s: Bubby Emerges as a Slang in Old English
In England, in the seventeenth century, a new word was invented in poems, letters, and daily conversation: bubby.
Yes, it was a slang term for the breasts. It was endearing, not coarse. It is like the ‘boobies’ of its time.
Example:
A 1681 poem by English writer Richard Ames playfully describes the ‘snowy bubby of a country maid.’
Thus, we can already see language blending:
● Intimacy
● Softness
● A bit of humor
It wasn’t long before things evolved again from bubby to….
From Where Did the Word ‘Bubby’ Change into ‘Booby’
Double Meanings in the 1700s
Here’s where it gets weird.
The word booby was first recorded in dictionaries in the 1700s. Not only for breasts though.
It also meant:
● A silly person
● A fool
● A person who can be tricked easily
So, booby was a colloquialism for breasts, and also a term of endearment, as well as a rather silly term of abuse. Strange, right?
Some researchers have suggested that this combination occurred because society has not always taken women, or their bodies, very seriously. To this day, boob means either ‘breast’ or ‘dummy.’
This ambivalence was useful for:
● To tease women about their bodies
● Not to discuss sex in earnest
● Not to see breasts as sources of strength but rather as sources of amusement
Which brings us to the contemporary chaos…
The Modern “Boobies” Boom
20th Century Pop Culture
Take a leap to the 50s to the 90s. The word boobies went wild in films, journals and television. It became the most used slang word in:
● Teenage movies
● “Lads’ magazines” like Playboy and Maxim
● Sitcoms
● Beach movies
It was everywhere—and mostly used by men. The focus wasn’t on health or care. It was about looks, pleasure, and objectification.
The point is, that women’s breasts were discussed a lot—but not by women. And definitely not with the goal of women’s satisfaction in mind.
And that brings us to today…
Why Do People Say “Boobies” Instead of “Breasts”?
Let’s be honest: “Breasts” sounds serious. It’s a real word used by doctors. It’s in textbooks and health classes.
But “boobies”? It’s soft. Funny. Easy.
People say boobies because:
- It feels less awkward
- It sounds gentle
- It’s easier to talk about in casual chats
- It helps break the tension when talking about bodies
Sometimes, silly words help us talk about serious things in a safe way.
But Is It Okay to Say “Boobies”?
Yes—and no. It depends on the time and place.
✅ Yes:
- When you’re being silly or playful
- When you’re talking with friends
- When it makes you feel comfortable
❌ Maybe not:
- In a doctor’s office
- During serious health talks
- If someone prefers a more respectful or adult word
Bottom line? Use what feels right for you. Your body, your words.
Why Words Matter in Sexual Health
Words shape how we feel about our bodies. If a word makes you feel safe, it’s a good word for you.
But sometimes, using only silly words like boobies can make it hard to take your body seriously.
That’s why it’s good to know both the fun words and the real ones. You can say “boobies” with your partner, and “breasts” at the doctor. It’s all about balance.
Loving Your Body – Boobies and All
No matter what you call them—boobs, boobies, breasts, girls, twins—they’re a part of you. They’re not just for looks. They do a lot:
- They can give milk to babies
- They change during your life
- They respond to touch and pleasure
- They need care and checkups too
Feeling good about your body starts with kindness. And comfort. And fun.
That’s where HERCARESS comes in.
HERCARESS Is Changing the Conversation
Our founder noticed something that many of us feel but rarely say out loud:
Most intimate products for women are designed by people who have never actually been inside a woman’s body—or mind.
Okay, maybe not sexually. But literally. The people making “pleasure” products?
- Don’t understand women’s bodies
- Use mystery materials that make you think “should this go there?”
- Make toys that sound like 1950s kitchen appliances
- Design products that clearly don’t know where pleasure actually happens
And all the while, we get told to feel embarrassed about even talking about our bodies.
HERCARESS was built out of that frustration.
It’s not just about making better products—it’s about:
- Taking women seriously
- Talking about pleasure like it matters
- Making self-care feel safe, smart, and sexy
- Ending the shame around words like “boobies,” “vulva,” and “orgasm”
HERCARESS is about real care—for real women—with no awkward silence.
Tips for Reclaiming Language & Loving Your Body
Here are some real-world ways to take back control of the words we use—and the bodies we live in:
Breasts. Boobies. Nipples. Clitoris. Vulva.
Say them in the mirror. With your friends. In your journal. Let them feel normal.
There’s no shame in saying boobies—just know what you’re really talking about. Learn your anatomy. Own your body.
3. Talk to Your Partner Openly
Use real words when talking about touch and pleasure. It helps avoid confusion and builds deeper trust.
4. Use Products That Respect You
No shame. No fear. Just care. HERCARESS is here to make you feel understood, safe, and sexy.
What Did We Learn?
- The word boobies has roots in baby talk, 1600s slang, and modern pop culture
- It started as a soft, silly way to say “breasts,” but also has a history of treating women’s bodies as a joke
- Today, how we use the word can affect how we feel about our bodies, sex, and health
- HERCARESS is flipping the script—making pleasure smart, normal, and made for women
- You deserve to talk about your body in words that feel right, whether it’s boobies or breasts or anything else
FAQ: Quick, Real Answers
Q: Is “boobies” disrespectful?
A: Not always! It depends how and when you use it. It can be playful, but not great for serious health talks.
Q: What’s the history behind the word?
A: It likely started from “bubby” in the 1600s, then became “booby,” blending baby talk, body slang, and silly insults.
Q: Why does HERCARESS care about words like this?
A: Because how we talk about our bodies matters. HERCARESS believes in making language, care, and pleasure something we own—not something to be ashamed of.