pencil (n.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict[pencil 词源字典]
early 14c., "an artist's fine brush of camel hair," from Old French pincel "artist's paintbrush" (13c., Modern French pinceau), from Latin penicillus "painter's brush, hair-pencil," literally "little tail," diminutive of peniculus "brush," itself a diminutive of penis "tail" (see penis). Small brushes formerly were used for writing before modern lead or chalk pencils; meaning "graphite writing implement" apparently evolved late 16c. Derogatory slang pencil-pusher "office worker" is from 1881; pencil neck "weak person" first recorded 1973.[pencil etymology, pencil origin, 英语词源]
girl FridayyoudaoicibaDictYouDict
"A female assistant, especially a junior office worker", 1940s: on the pattern of man Friday.