We often use our friends from the animal kingdom to characterize the
behavior of our fellow human beings, "She eats like a pig... he is savage
as a wolf..." These terms are frequently unfair -- the word hircine used
to refer to goats but has another sense indicating a lustful nature. Are
goats lascivious? Who are we to say?

This week's AWAD presents more words in a similar vein. So the next time you
employ one of these words to figuratively refer to a two-legged creature
around you, be careful. You may be slandering someone -- the four-legged
one.

Anu, you're a foxy critter!

When used to describe a woman, "foxy" suggests sexual attractiveness. When used to describe a man, it suggests cunning and shrewdness in a negative sense. I don't think there is a usage in which the fictitious Anu may properly be described as foxy.

Sorry Jackie.

unless, like my great-grandfather, he has reddish hair-- as does my daughter-- both can be called "foxy" in a discriptive way.-- (but needless to say, my daughter doesn't mind the sexy connotation. ) I think too, that foxy for a man is also used to describe attactiveness-- I would expect a foxy man to be, sharp, sly, and so good looking, that it would be easy to fall prey to his charms...

When used to describe a man, it suggests cunning and shrewdness in a negative sense.

Ha! Little do you know...

I shall try to do more of a metaphor--not exactly one of my strengths. Anu is as clever and as quick as a fox.
I was trying to avoid this usage as it is a plain old noun, but, since my judgement has been called into question...
Anu is a fox. And if anyone isn't clear on what that means, a la slang, I'll be happy to explain private.
(Bristles still aquiver.)

(Bristles still aquiver.)

Where exactly do you keep those bristles?

Where exactly do you keep those bristles?

On the back of my neck, she growled. Do not even come
close to maligning my beloved Anu (either of them)!