Brian in San Antonio, Texas, wonders about the origin of the pinking in the term pinking shears. Such shears cut an even, zigzag pattern that keeps cloth from fraying at the edges. Pinking likely comes from French piquer, meaning to...
piquerism n. the derivation of pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from stabbing another person. Etymological Note: From the French piquer ‘to sting or prick (someone or something).’ (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)