The phrase "Happiness Is a Warm Pussy" is a play on the title of a popular slogan from the late 1960s, "Happiness is a Warm Puppy," which originated from Charles Schulz's Peanuts comic strip and was later used as the title of a book. The original phrase became widely recognized as a wholesome and endearing expression.
The rephrased version, as seen on the pin-back button, was likely created during the countercultural movements of the late 1960s and 1970s. During this era, there was a significant trend of reappropriating popular phrases for humor, rebellion, or shock value, often using wordplay to provoke discussion or express cultural dissent. Buttons like this were common in the underground or alternative culture scenes of the time, reflecting a mix of humor, risque messaging, and countercultural attitudes.