February 25, 2009

What's another name for Who-ha and/or the Nether Reigns?

Note to Male Readers, my Dad and Sashi: The following info will most likely get too personal and graphic for your sensibilities. Trust me: Stop reading now. If you don't...all I can say is, "I told you so."

I ask the question in the title because Girl Child, the one who has always referred to her who-ha by it formal, scientific name, was completely embarrassed and appalled when I said, "pelvis" today in the swimming pool.
"Mommmmmy! Don't say that so loud!!"
At first I was confused. Then the origin of her confusion dawned on me. Or so I thought.
"Oh honey it's okay, I said pel-vis, not pe-nis."
"I know. Pe-nis is okay. But don't say that other word so loud...or at all. Please?" she begged while looking around mortified to see who had heard me utter such a vulgar word in public.

Pelvis.
I can see the look on her face right now. She'll probably still be mortified at 80 when someone says it's time for their yearly pelvis exam.

There are just certain words in every person's life that can light their face up like a cherry no matter their age.

I can't personally think of any right now for myself...but, when I was younger? Oh yes. There were plenty. Any of the names my spawn now use for certain body parts would have sent me into hiding for a year. Any thing that had to do with that pesky monthly visitor, Mrs. Flow, would have me quivering in the corner as well.

I am trying to keep this in mind as the Crumb Snatchers are obviously reaching an age where certain familiar or everyday terms are becoming landmines. I don't want to embarrass them on purpose (well, that's a big, fat lie right there), so I am seeking advice from others on what is, was or will most likely be some touchy words, subjects, topics in the very near future from your own personal experiences.

Do you remember yours? How did you successfully navigate them or with your kiddos?

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I know all the great little tidbits my sweet readers are going to leave are going to be like candy to you...but, please, please try to restrain yourself. At least until the Crumbs are teens when they'll totally just die.

8 comments:

ShEiLa said...

My daughter describes that time of the month... hard times.
That way all the girls/room-mates have a clue... but the boys next door do not.

It does surprise me that [pelvis] got the 'shush-mom' response.
I know I have been shushed for much less though.

In high-school for me it was Aunt Flo/flow. I think all the guys were onto that one. OTR [on the rag] was one I never liked and could have lived without.

I know va-jay-jay is popular terminology for vagina.

I was from a family of all girls... except for my Dad... so I am not schooled in the man parts descriptive slang.

If I think of something...
I will be back.

ToOdLeS.ShEiLa

ShEiLa said...

I forgot...
once I was teaching young teen girls and I was telling a story and said...
we grabbed our thongs and off we went.
that brought immediate laughter.
back then...thongs
now...flip-flops.
I was very careful after that experience.
ToOdLeS.AgaiN

Flea said...

I'm still very modest when it comes to body terminology. I never did teach my kids the right names for private parts. They were just that - private parts. In fact, my daughter refers to Mrs. Flow (I like that) as her "little friend". Ya.

I say OTR - learned it in college. Kids have no clue. At least, I don't think so ...

Anonymous said...

You're killing me here, SS. I wasn't born with the "modesty gene" and I have no problem (as you well know) embarrassing my children. I'm highly opposed to va-jay-jay because I think that's an "Oprah-ism" which automatically makes it nauseating.

I personally favor the anatomically correct names. It's funny (in a peculiar kind of way) how they've become rather shocking in polite conversation.

My eldest likes to call her buttocks her ba-hump-kus. I don't know why, she's just odd. My youngest calls her vagina her bagina or just nIna because of her speech impediment.

As for the menstrual cycle, I've found merely whispering "I'm bleeding like a stuck pig" can clear a room in a hurry. And I've always loved the term "codsack." It's my personal favorite.

Huse Yo Mama said...

Cha Cha.

Although watching Latin night on Dancing with the Stars makes us laugh now.

~ Straight Shooter ~ said...

I agree Sheila, OTR is something I too could have lived without. It is not so much embarrassing to me as it is...eeeww.
I cracked up at thongs. Yeah. Thongs are not what they used to be.

I can tell this struck a chord with a few of you already.

Girls. Only other girls get us. We have to stick together. That's something I hope to pass on to my precious Girl spawn.

Oh, all she has to look forward to.

J. P. said...

my husband recently used the term "he-haw" to describe his man-parts. That made me laugh hysterically.

ooops, apparently I'm posting AS my husband. This is Lisa at Clan

Anonymous said...

Growing up in my house, you did not talk of such things, but I see nothing offensive about 'pelvis.' I guess back when I was a teen, it would have been a hushed word. What happens to us with age? Our lips are loosed and we have no shame.

-FringeGirl