Euphemisms

There are all kinds of euphemisms for things. Especially sexual things. Because we’ve made sex this dirty, taboo thing, we need words for things that don’t evoke those embarrassing images and reactions! “Vajajay.” “Down there.” “Member.” “Love making.” But apparently, the numerous euphemisms that already exist for sexytime were not good enough. Glamour had to suggest some new ones for us! Because, remember: we are not mature adults and it is way too embarrassing to use the proper names for things.

  1. “Eating out.” Apparently, this is unacceptable terminology. Granted, it’s one of my least favorite phrases (and activities (on the receiving end)), as well, but that’s why I stick to “oral sex.” Because that’s what it is. Or, if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll throw out “cunnilingus,” though you’d be surprised how many people don’t know what that means. “Going down on” me/her/someone also works. Do you know what DOESN’T work? Glamour‘s suggestion of “treasure hunting.” Or, for the people that give terrible head, “Scavenger hunting.” YES! Cunnilingus is totes like a treasure hunt! I mean, I know my vag is full of gold dubloons and jewels and what not, but that doesn’t mean I want to share them with Mr. Jack Sparrow down there. I have a new suggestion: “mash on her gash.” That sounds so much more appealing, and not at all reminiscent of bleeding wounds, don’t you think?
  2. “Come.” “Come,” the verb, not to be confused with “cum,” the noun. Apparently, “come” sounds “so porno.” Okay, then. I’m a fan of “get off,” and I’m still not sure what’s wrong with “orgasm,” but since obviously there’s something wrong with it, let’s see what Glamour suggests we say instead, shall we? “Finish” with an alternative “go/went/gone.” I don’t like “are you finished/are you going to finish” because that implies an ending point. Bitch, just because I had an orgasm does not mean I’m “finished!” Keep fucking going! And “go/went/gone” makes me think of urination. “Are you gonna go?” Go what? Pee? Right now? Um, sure, if that’s what you’re into. I can get down with watersports.
  3. “Boner.” Because “hard” is clearly not okay, nor is the proper term of “erection.” Instead, Glamour suggests we call a hard penis “it.” No, I’m not kidding. As Ashley put it (heh), “Calling an erect cock ‘it’ sounds like some kind of B-movie monster. COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU! ‘IT: COCKZILLA FROM OUTERSPACE!’” Like, BEWARE THE ONE-EYED MONSTER! ‘IT’ IS OUT TO GET YOU!’ When, really, all “it” really wants is a nice warm home inside a mouth, vag, or asshole. Is that really too much to ask? And this article was written by a guy! What guy wants his dick referred to as “it,” like it’s some freak object? Apparently, this guy.
  4. “Queef.” Look, it’s an awkward word for an awkward sound. But not more awkward than the alternative suggestion: “hippo giggles.” Excuse me a minute, I have to let loose some hippo giggles.” “Haha, did you just hear that hippo giggle?” WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? Do hippos even giggle? And, if they do, why do we assume it sounds like farts?
  5. “Doggy style.” Ah, my least favorite sex position (it hurts me. I’m fine laying flat on my stomach, or standing up, but kneeling and taking it from behind is uncomfortable for me). So I’m going to have to disagree with the author of this piece, who claims that this position “works for everyone.” I’ve always just called it “fucking from behind.” According to Glamour, we should call it a “power meeting.” Because we’re NOT ANIMALS, people. We are CLASSY. Especially whilst fucking. Or, we’re in a boardroom. Although, fucking in a boardroom would be pretty hot. Ooh! “Power meeting” could be the perfect term for a stealth fuck sesh during the workday! But not the perfect term for doggy style sex.
  6. “Anal sex.” I do not see anything wrong with this term. At all. I also like saying “what-what in the butt” because it’s fun. “Taking it up the ass” is always a good one, too. Glamour‘s suggestion is a little more… abstract. They suggest “Lady Macbeth,” because “she’s so pushy and potentially awful, but she’s a scene stealer, and for the some, the play would be nothing without her.” Look, if something requires that much explanation, it’s a shitty fucking euphemism (pun intended). Though, “out, out damn spot” could be more accurate than intended…
  7. “Pubic hair.” Also a totally fine term. “Bush,” if you really want. You know what’s NOT a fine term? “Love feathers.” WHAT THE FUCKITY FUCK? What do pubes have to do with love? Or feathers? “Plumage,” their other suggestion, also sucks. I do not want to associate my body hair with peacocks (heh. I said “cock”), thankyouverymuch. Though peacocks do have those beautiful feathers…
  8. “Lights on/lights off.” Again, why do we even need a better term for this? What’s wrong with “Why don’t we leave the lights on tonight?” Or “Baby, can you turn the lights off?” Why do we need fancy names like “Showtime?” HEY, BABY, IT’S SHOWTIME! CHECK OUT THESE CANS! Really?! Or “Mystery in Gotham?” I’m not having sex with Batman! Though, I’d probably rather be having sex with Batman. He’s sexy. Plus, he has a Batmobile.

Why do we need to water down the words we use to describe sex? It just makes it even more squicky, icky, and taboo. Just call it what it is, and it will be much less of an issue than beating around the bush and using childish nicknames for things that, as adults, we should be able to say openly.

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15 Comments

  1. ElodieNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 12:07 am | Permalink

    “Lights on/lights off”?!

    The Clapper commercials were porn and I didn’t know it!

  2. AshleyNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 12:21 am | Permalink

    Hahhahaha, this made my night.

  3. SaNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 1:30 am | Permalink

    If you’re not mature enough not to feel embarassed by graphic terms, should you be having sex???

  4. Outspoken CliticNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 7:42 am | Permalink

    They’re joking, right? RIGHT?

  5. PixieNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 8:53 am | Permalink

    Hippo giggles!?! Seriously now, they want us to call it hippo giggles?

  6. twgNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 10:31 am | Permalink

    This shit is so dumb I can’t believe it. Eating out, okay, not my favorite term, but the rest of them? Really? Christ.

    I sort of liked plumage, though it did give me a mental picture of a feathered merkin.

  7. Wilhelmina WangNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 10:53 am | Permalink

    “Or “Mystery in Gotham?” I’m not having sex with Batman! Though, I’d probably rather be having sex with Batman. He’s sexy. Plus, he has a Batmobile.”

    bahahahahhahahahaha

  8. Ms.InconspicuousNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 1:51 pm | Permalink

    When we first started dating, my husband used to call “coming” “going”–i.e. “I’m going to go…”

    I responded, every time, with, “Where are you going?” Until he adapted less ridiculous terminology.

  9. macNo Gravatar
    Posted July 2, 2010 at 11:58 pm | Permalink

    Unless the euphemism is fun to say (I am a fan of coloquial speech), I don’t want to say it.

    Anal sex is fine. Sometimes, I lik to refer to it as playing in the back yard, but that’s just a goof with that one girl…it’s actually “Playing in that big back yard”

    Basically, if the acts are too dirty to even mention, are we ready for them?

  10. Lady PandorahNo Gravatar
    Posted July 3, 2010 at 12:46 pm | Permalink

    ‘Lady Macbeth’?! No way does that even begin to make sense from the explanation they give.

    Yours on the other hand with the quote – perfect sense.

    Still a stupid euphemism.

    LP x

  11. AnnabelleNo Gravatar
    Posted July 4, 2010 at 12:27 am | Permalink

    HIPPO GIGGLES? I have an amused pachyderm in my knickers?? What a mindbogglingly pointless term!

    Plumage :D Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue…

  12. Garnet JoyceNo Gravatar
    Posted July 7, 2010 at 9:13 am | Permalink

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!

  13. Dangerous LillyNo Gravatar
    Posted July 22, 2010 at 7:39 pm | Permalink

    I read this with my jaw dropped and blinking in confusion.

    And this? reminds me why I stopped reading Glamour and why I will never read Glamour even if it’s the only mag in the waiting room.

    Holy fucking stupid.

  14. Joanna CakeNo Gravatar
    Posted July 25, 2010 at 9:56 am | Permalink

    I want to have Lady MacBeth! Ruf would never work out that request in a million years! Even if it is the thing he likes to do best and only ever gets it as a treat!

    As to the ‘power meeting’, surely that’s more of a description of a Lady MacBeth where you get shafted on a deal by a duplicitous businessman?

    And dont even get me started on Love Feathers bwahahahaha!

  15. LupercusNo Gravatar
    Posted September 12, 2010 at 10:52 pm | Permalink

    Ah, Sexual terminology. Beatifull topic and one that I’m so absolutely fond of. Unfortunately the English language (and specifically the American variety) has been so prudishly pruned of its most colorful expressions that it has become basically barren (yes, yes, I know; infertile, bereft of reproductive capability, etc, etc.) of possibilities to clearly express oneself other than in what I call: ‘Marketing-Speak’. Needless to say that I have a dim view on marketing, which I consider the root of all evil, and specifically where it applies it comes to sexual activities and/or proclivities. Middle-English was much richer and allowed for a much more accurate nuance in verbal sexual expression. The current Friesians know a thing or two about that. The Friesian language essentially is literally Middle-English, be it locally pronounced in Dutch fashion. i.e. as if being plagued by a horrid respiratory affliction. The Dutch have a National dictionary and theraurus that covers the normal/formal use of the Dutch language, but aside from that they also have a tome that is at least twice its size that covers the ‘less than formal’ aspects of the language. This part of the language is referred to as ‘Bargoens’ which roughly translates as ‘Spoken on Barges, or better still: Spoken around those who deal with anything related to barges, boats, ships, harbours, keys, kayes, jetties, brothels, bars, bodega’s, whores, mistresses, courtisans, buddies, spouses, blow-up dolls, etc,etc. You get the drift, I wager to guess.
    Oh, and don’t even get me started on the Flemish (Belgians who speak Flemish, which in my book is the highest form of Dutch although the Belgians would most vehemently deny that.
    So basically there is no real point to this comment, other than to express the desire that English would once again embrace richness of that what ‘The Bard’ (For the uneducated; This would be Shakespeare.) so richly applied to his prose as well as his poetry. After all, this is what sex is all about; The poetry of distinctly different bodies in service to mutual admiration and gratification. (Besides the obvious reproductive side, that is, but we don’t want to get off on that tangent, now do we?)

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