On euphemisms

In my "guide for people who read romance novels", I touched on some of the rediculous euphemisms that romance noveslists use for human genitala. Romance novelists are not alone in this quest to call body parts anything other than thier actual name. Pretty much everyone in the states has a name, pet name, or otherwise odd labeling of their and other people's private parts. I have heard people say all of the following instead of vagina: "pink parts", suzie, cha-cha, "bearded clam", fish taco, daisy, cunt, snatch, pussy, cat, kitty, "hatchet wound", purse, "grilled cheese sandwich", love button, love canal, pearl, and others. For "penis" we have: "dick", "peepee", "weewee", " hoo hoo dilly", "Salty sausage", "love pole", "trouser snake", "stick shift", "twig and berries", "meat and two potatoes", willy, "skin flute", "family jewels", "love muscle", shrinkydink, manhood, wiener, banana, and many many others. I could continue with a list for breasts, but I think you get the point.

Doctors and educators often tell us to use correct names for genitalia with our children. I think most people think that this is to help create a more educated sounding populous similarly to those who encourage us not to say "ain't" or "where's my pen at?". However, I would contend that making us not sound like morons is only a tiny part of what us using correct names for genitals is actually intended to do.

When we use names like "suzie" and "weewee", it's because we're for some reason embarrased to say the real thing. Somehow, we in America got the idea that sex is dirty and should not be discussed. We also got the idea that just about everything associated with sex is somehow "naughty" and taboo. When we say things like "peepee" and "daisy" to our children, we send the message not only that the names for their genitals are something that is better off unspoken, but that the genitals themselves are something that is better off not spoken about. Most adults very embarassedly say "well my child was looking at his.... his... you know... his... (whispered) 'jewels'..." Kids pick up on the fact that everyone turns red faced and refuses to use correct terms when talking about genitals, and so they learn the embarassment.

Most people feel that genitals are private and should not be discussed or shown to the general public. I am not going to disagree with this sentiment. However, an inability to talk about your body without a redface and alot of euphemisms not only looks and sounds rediculous, but it can be a hinderance to your adult sex life. Many people can't ask for what they want in bed without turning red and/or using words like "she" "girl parts" and "manhood". By using euphemisms for body parts, we're teaching future generations to be emabarrsed of who they are and what they want. No one should be embarrassed of what they want done to their body when they are a fully consenting adult alone in private with another fully consenting adult.