Breasts have picked up all kinds of nicknames over the years—some are charmingly old-fashioned, others more modern. While a few have sparked controversy for being less-than-flattering (and probably not used by many breastfeeding families), others are just plain fun.

Let’s take a little look at some of the common ones.

Boobies – The term “boob” or “boobies” may have originated from “bubby,” which is believed to come from the German word “bübbi,” meaning teat. Some also suggest that “bubby” arose from baby talk, mimicking the sounds babies often make as they learn language. The term “bubbies” first appeared in writings from the 1600s. An amusing coincidence is that if you break down the letters of “boob,” they resemble breasts from different perspectives: “B” is the top-down view, “o o” represents a front view, and “b” resembles a side view!

Tits – Not exactly my favourite name for these fabulous milk factories, but “tit” likely traces back to the Old English word for “teat.” It’s a short and snappy evolution for such an important part of the body, don’t you think?

Norks – Straight out of 20th-century Australia, “norks” most likely started as a playful nod to udders! The wild part? It’s said to have come from ads for Norco Dairy, proving that even milk companies can leave a lasting (and cheeky) linguistic legacy!

Duckies – Believe it or not, this adorable bit of medieval slang was a favourite of Henry VIII in his swoony love letters to Anne Boleyn. Yep, even the famously ruthless king had a soft spot for cutesy nicknames! Who says romance is dead?

Hooters – This cheeky term probably came bouncing onto the scene in the 20th century, back when car horns were round and, well, a bit boob-like! 

Knockers – Most likely from the 1940s, but there’s a wildly amusing story that in Victorian times, when door knockers were a luxury, ladies might have used their breasts to knock! It’s probably more fantasy than fact, but it sure makes for a comical mental image!

Bust – Originally a 16th-century art term for the torso, the term took on a new twist around 1960 when it started being used to refer to breasts.

Baps – What started as a cosy, soft bread roll from Scotland made its way into slang for breasts thanks to their similar squishy, round charm. Not quite floury, but definitely a roll with a new twist!

Jugs – The term might make you think of carrying milk, but it actually has a curious history. In the 15th century, “jugs” might have started as a nickname for women named Joan, similar to how “Dick” was used for Richard. Over time, it possibly broadened to refer to women in general. Eventually, calling someone “a pair of jugs” became a cheeky, albeit derogatory, way to talk about women

Bosom – Stemming from the Old English “bosm,” this charming word was used to describe not just the breast but also the very heart of your feelings and thoughts. It’s like a cosy term that snuggles both your body and your emotions.

Tatas – This term probably comes from the French “tette,” meaning nipple, giving it a cheeky cross-lingual twist. Plus, it might just have a playful connection to “lactate” too!

Cans – The reason behind calling breasts “cans” is a bit elusive, but it’s a term that’s stuck around. Maybe it’s because, much like “jugs,” they’re linked to holding liquids?

Delving into the history of breast nicknames has been a blast, but I’m also curious about what names babies use for their milk. My little ones simply called it “Boobies.” It might not be the most inventive term, but when they first said it, it was beyond cute. It even had the magical power to get my milk to flow every time!