What's the origin of the word bunny?

Search: bunny etymology

Why: In Donnie Darko, the therapist describes Frank as "the giant bunny rabbit."

Answer: It probably comes from the Gaelic word bun, which means "root" -> "bottom" -> "tale of a hare" in Scots and northern English dialects. The -ny was added because it's adorable.

"Bunny" meaning "rabbit" first appeared in English around 1690, and since has been used as an endearment for both women and children. Also I call Maddie "sugar bunny," even though she is a cat, not a rabbit (or human).

In the late-20th century, the slang terms "beach bunny" and "ski bunny" developed in counterpart to the male "beach bum" and "ski bum."

Source: The Word Detective, Take Our Word For It

The More You Know: A Playboy Bunny is a waitress at the Playboy Club (1960-1988, 2006-). According to Hugh Hefner, the name came from Bunny's Tavern, which opened in 1936 in Urbana, IL, where the Hef went to school. The owner was Bernard "Bunny" Fitzsimmons.

Also, the origin of the hot dog "bun" is different than the bunny bun. It is probably rooted in the Old French bugne, meaning "swelling."