O.E. slitan "cut or tear up, slit," from P.Gmc. *slitanan (cf. O.S. slitan, O.N. slita, M.L.G., M.Du. sliten, Du. slijten, O.H.G. slizan, Ger. schleißen "to slit"). The noun is attested from c.1250. Slang sense of "vulva" is attested from 1648. Slit skirt is attested from 1913.