Etymology and meaning of the word "pizzled"

Question

I heard of a term today called "pizzled" and am confused about it as there is a plethora of different definitions for the word.

I first heard it in a speech by David Shing TNW Europe Conference. He said that it was a combination of "pissed" and "puzzled." I immediately thought it was made up and that it is new slang.

But then after further investigation I found traces to a short story where it was used in a strange way in 1955, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autofac.

In addition, Wikipedia said "pizzle" is an old english word for penis, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizzle. In addition Wiktionary had the following: "Having the penis in a different tincture than the rest of the body."

What is the etymology and meaning of this strange word?

Answer 1

It isn't new but you are right, it is confusing. Interestingly, it is used in medical slang (Dictionary of medical slang -Jacob Edward) and it is defined as exhausted, or to its point:

Pizzle chewer ... A female who relieves a male of his phallic tension by fondling the instrument in her mouth.

Pizzle-grinder ... 1. A butcher. 2. A prostitute.

Pizzle honker ... A prostitute who satisfies her patrons by manual friction.

Pizzle warmer . . . The pudendum muliebre, esp. the vagina.

Pizzled . . . Exhausted physically or mentally.

Etymology: pizzle (n.) "penis of a bull used as a flogging instrument," 1520s, from Low German pesel or Flemish pezel, diminutive of root of Dutch pees "sinew," from Old Low German root *pisa.