Arts & Culture The Naughty Etymologist Needle Art Term Produces Embarrassed Confusion! Ideastream Public Media | By Jacqueline Gerber Published September 6, 2024 at 2:25 PM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 0:59 Kiefer Photography / Shutterstock This naughty-sounding term is used in the world of embroidery to transfer decorative patterns from paper to fabric.