Etymology

Aunt Sally

Today it means: A traditional game in which balls are thrown to break the pipe in the mouth of a wooden figurine resembling an old woman. Full definition →

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The story

Apparently after My Old Aunt Sally, the title of a blackface minstrel song written by Dan Emmett in 1843.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 19th c. A traditional game in which balls are thrown to break the pipe in the mouth of a wooden figurine resembling an old woman.
  • from 19th c. A figure drawing criticism or ridicule, especially when prejudiced or unwarranted.
  • from 19th c. an object set up to invite such criticism

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.