The Happy Talent
  • Blog
  • About
  • Popular
  • Education
  • Social Science
  • Travel
  • Products
  • Contact
"It is a happy talent to know how to play."

Why I Absolutely HATE the Word Vagina

1/23/2016

5 Comments

 
Picture
#LatinStudentProblems. Image credit: Latin-Student-Problems
Rideo, Ridere, Risi, Risus, -a, -um.

This is my favorite word ever in Latin. It's not beautiful, per se (:P), but it means "to laugh." Et amo ridere. Err... And I love to laugh. Also, because I love this word so much, I (unlike all of my non-Latin-speaking friends) have never suggested that something was "rediculous" over gchat.
Knowing the etymology of so many English (and French, and Spanish) words is a blessing... and a curse. 

On the one hand, I love that I know grex, gregis means "flock," so something egregious is something out of (ex) the flock (gregis). A congregation is a gathering of the flock. To aggregate is to collect or unite the flock; to segregate is to separate the flock; and to be gregarious is to be socially outgoing or fond of company (the flock).

I know that a metonymy (literally meaning 'change of name') is a figure of speech in which the part is used to represent the whole (e.g., salt = sea; bow = ship, suit = businessperson.); a zeugma (literally meaning 'to yoke') is the use of a single word in two different senses (e.g., "He fell asleep and overboard," "He knocked her down and up"); and Dorothy and Theodore are chiastic hautoglottaral synchyses (loosely translating to reversal and mixing of their own... language?) -- doro- means gift and theo- means god, so Theodore and Dorothy are both gifts from God. 

Accord comes from cor, cordis, which means "heart" (awww). Computer comes from puto, putare, which means "to think, to know." Concur, from curro, currere, means "to run with"; Volvo means "I roll"; decimate means "take to a tenth"; and annihilate comes from the Latin words ad, "to," and nihil, "nothing."
Picture
SO COOL, right? 

But, like I said, it's also a curse. 

Everyone always uses "who" when them mean "whom" -- who is nominative (a subject), and whom is used as an object or with a preposition (e.g., "... whom I knew," "...with whom I play basketball").

People don't understand that "try" takes the infinitive, not a conjunction -- id est (i.e.), you try TO do something, you don't try AND do something. (With a few exceptions. You could try and see what happens, for example.)

But the one that kills me most? 

In Latin, the word "vagina" literally means sheath or scabbard. 

First of all, I'm not in fifth grade, so I don't really appreciate a crass analogy being used to name a part of my body.

Second, fuck that shit. I refuse to define a part of my body as a function of man's "sword."


It's certainly not very empowering. Nor is it inclusive. What if you're asexual? What if you don't use your vagina as a sheath for someone's sword? What if you simply, on principle, object to defining your anatomy that way?

Obviously, this is not something I think is important enough to be at the forefront of feminist causes. We have much greater problems to worry about -- from the sexual assault epidemic on college campuses to "intersectional" feminists hijacking feminist causes and putting women in harm's way to men stealing credit for women's contributions in science.

I find words like "nice guy" and "friend zone" much more troubling than I find the word vagina, as they feed into this whole culture of male entitlement, which literally kills women. (And men, for that matter.)
Picture
From: Guns Don't Kill Women. Male Entitlement Kills Women.
Nor is my opinion about this objectionable and outdated word something I wish to impose on others. I also hate the word "pussy" -- it's a word we use to demean, disempower and emasculate, which is the least sexy thing in the world. I'm not wild about "cunt," either. A lot of people think it's so unspeakably bad that they will say "fuck," but not "the c-word."

(But honestly, if someone were going to call me an ugly name, I'd rather be called a cunt than a pussy. Cunt is a way to express hatred and distaste -- particularly at a woman who doesn't care what you think and does whatever the f she wants. #BeRude. Versus a pussy, who is someone with negative, cowardly, and traditionally feminine traits.)

However, if you find the word pussy sexy... go for it, I guess. If the uses and connotations of that word don't bother you, and pussy is your preferred word for that part of your body, that is your choice. (After all, feminism isn't about forcing everyone to agree with every possible progressive cause. It's about empowering people to make choices.)

Just like, if you want to define yourself as a cis female, go for it! Personally, I prefer to identify simply as female. That's my choice. 

Maybe someday, feminism will have come so far that we can begin seriously worrying about science and society's use of the word "vagina" (which, 99% of the time, actually means "vulva" -- but I digress). But for now, I'm happy to just let my friends know, "Hey, I don't love that word. I think it's a little demeaning. Here's why..."

(Funny story: Last week, I was having dinner with one of my favorite male friends. Somehow, the female anatomy came up, and he awkwardly referred to my "birth canal." To which I replied, "I recognize and appreciate your attempt to use an inoffensive word. But WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO HAVE KIDS? WHAT IF I CAN'T HAVE KIDS? BIRTH CANAL IS AN AWFUL AND EXCLUSIVE WORD CHOICE!!!

"Just kidding. You're amazing. Thanks for being supportive.")
Maybe that sounds obnoxious. But, actually, I love bringing up my objection to "vagina," because it often leads to a very interesting conversation. Not everyone agrees with me that the word is offensive -- and that's fine. But I love hearing different peoples' experiences and thoughts on topics, like, say:
  • How science and medical research have historically shortchanged women (and still do -- see this Nature editorial).
  • Euphemisms vs. Dysphemisms, and other psycholinguistics concepts, including the age-old question, "Does the language define the connotations, or do the connotations define the language?"
  • What are the different words for "vagina" (or, 99% of the time, "vulva"). Which ones are offensive? Which are not? Why? What would you call it?
  • At what point do outdated names become offensive enough that we should consider renaming? (Did you know that there are over 1,441 federally-recognized places in the U.S. with names that include racial slurs? E.g., Chinaman Hat, Dead Negro Spring, and Squaw Valley.)
Picture
Picture

Again, my point isn't to force others to agree with me. As I wrote in Everyday Feminism is a Joke and No One Should Ever Read It, you are welcome to disagree with me. As long as you are not a bully or a spammer, I want to know what you think -- and I want to know why you think that. 

So, share! What do you think about the etymology of the word vagina? Do you have a different word you prefer to use, socially or scientifically? Why or why not? 

Want to know more? Check out The Mother Tongue: English And How It Got That Way, a hilariously informative book by one of my favorite authors, Bill Bryson. Find it on Amazon - or get it for free on Audible. People will think you're the smartest! :P
5 Comments
Zane
4/21/2016 07:48:22 am

Do you have a word that you use to mean both vagina and vulva? I use the word pussy, but with some inhibitions. Do you have a good alternative to use in place of "vagina?"

Reply
StayMan
12/15/2016 07:47:19 am

My first awakening to the 'fear' of the word 'Vagina' was when I read a child's book in which the author (male) said, 'Daddy put his penis into mommy's birth canal... ... The baby came out of mommy's birth canal...'.
I couldn't understand why 'Penis' is all fine to say to a child - but no explicit anatomical female part could be used. I also noticed later that references are made to male animals having a 'Penis' but females don't have anything verbally anatomically equivalent (I mean they don't have speakable 'Vaginas'!!!).
A TVs documentary showed the largest whale with its HUGE PENIS and it is shown in all it's massive prehensile glory with a diver measuring (ahem!!) himself against its length. However, absolutely no mention is made of the fact that a huge penis goes into AN EVEN huger VAGINA - in fact, so huge that the diver could actually fit full body into it... Did you know a kangaroo has THREE VAGINAS? Tv talk shows tend to say, 'down there' ...
Ok, so there seems to be an innate (or TAUGHT) behaviour that the female genitals should not be mentioned directly. There is shock and guilt and embarrassment when a nurse, perhaps in a drama, sitCom, or documentary show, even mentions 'VAGINA' in a birth scene.
So, again, OK, what word or words ARE acceptable to refer to the female genitals? If you use 'Pussy', won't that SHOCK women? If you use 'Cunt', won't that do the same? And, so you say the proper word is 'Vulva'... Ok, spread the word... Won't that soon embarrass women and instead of 'Empowering' them it will soon be a hush-hush word, too!
Why? Because it ISN'T the word used that causes the 'problem' but rather, yes, in my opinion, the actual body part!
To wit: A Vagina by any other name will be just as embarrassing!!

Reply
Eva Glasrud link
7/6/2017 06:05:03 pm

That may be true -- the media tends not to talk about or show vaginas or vulvas. But for me, personally, the issue is the word. I have no problem with vulva, as it comes from the Latin word for vulva.

Reply
Dan Hughes link
8/6/2021 10:07:37 pm

I like your writing style. I too admire the style of Bill Bryson and is the one I try ever so hard to copy.

Everyone always uses "who" when them mean

Reply
Alan
7/14/2022 01:35:45 am

Many words in English are derived from words that used to have a somewhat different meaning. If I use the word vagina I am not in any way trying to be offensive or suggest that it is something I should own or take control of. I don't like it when people say vagina when they mean vulva. It's almost as though they trying to deny its existence.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About the Author
    Picture
    Eva is a content specialist with a passion for play, travel... and a little bit of girl power.  Read more >


    Want to support The Happy Talent? CLICK HERE!
    Support the Happy Talent
    Or Find me on Patreon!
    Picture

    What's Popular on The Happy Talent:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

      Want more?

    Submit

    Trending in Dating and Relationships:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture



    ​What's Popular in Science:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture


    Playfulness and Leisure Skills:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Popular in Psychology and Social Skills:
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    20s
    Adolescence
    Backpacking
    Boredom
    Boredom Avoidance
    Camping
    Career Advice
    Careers
    Communication
    Confidence
    Consent
    Creativity
    Curiosity
    Dating
    Economy
    Education
    Entrepreneurship
    Fearlessness
    Female Travel
    Feminism
    Free Speech
    Gap Year
    Great Products
    Growth Mindset
    Health
    Hiking
    Hitchhiking
    Life Advice
    Meeting New People
    Mental Health
    Mexico
    Mindfulness
    Most Popular
    National Parks
    Outdoors
    Parenting
    Parenting Advice
    Passive Entertainment
    Play
    Playfulness
    Psychology
    Relationships
    Resilience
    Science
    Scuba Diving
    Self Help
    Self-help
    Sex
    Sports
    Stanford University
    Startups
    Study Abroad
    Summer
    Technology
    Teenagers
    Therapy
    Travel
    Yosemite

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photos used under Creative Commons from paweesit, Steven Penton, torbakhopper, Theo Crazzolara, edenpictures, Kiwi Tom, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Homedust, wocintechchat.com, Ralphman, wbaiv, kg.abhi, Jamiecat *, UnitedWarVeterans, D()MENICK, True Portraits, Neville Wootton Photography, Salvation Army USA West, South African Tourism, phalinn, WilliamsProjects, j_bary, Japanexperterna.se, thephotographymuse, Elvert Barnes, ThoroughlyReviewed, hairy:jacques, joncutrer, wuestenigel, Franck_Michel, jimwerner25, Imahinasyon Photography, joanne clifford, m01229, Antonio Campoy Ederra, Our Dream Photography (Personal), shixart1985, davidstewartgets, couples in nature, Dage - Looking For Europe, jonseidman, andymw91, garryknight, wuestenigel, Rosmarie Voegtli, werner.philipps, Gage Skidmore, Novafly, dinuxm1, Eddie Yip, Prayitno / Thank you for (10 millions +) views, DMahendra, James_Seattle, jamkablam, vanitystudiosphotography, Luiz Gustavo Leme, oki_jappo, Daquella manera, CasparGirl, Mary Anne Morgan, inkknife_2000 (10.5 million + views), homethods, wocintechchat, Hypnotica Studios Infinite, dailyrectangle, Tobyotter, torbakhopper, Kevin Johnston, David Robb, eisenberg_emily, True Portraits, Douglas Pimentel, pmarkham, Noize Photography, rawdonfox, dollen, davidstewartgets, ed and eddie, Ryosuke Yagi, Anthony_Greene, Ruth and Dave, best couples, Jenn Durfey, Cost3l, Orin Zebest, anjanettew, dollen, Editor B, Alexander Day, LyndaSanchez, polosopuestosblog, UpSticksNGo, Agência Brasil, homethods, Find Rehab Centers, Novafly, Deornelas4, buzzern, seefit, C. VanHook (vanhookc), University of Delaware Alumni Relations, Franck_Michel, gordontarpley, Chris Photography(王權), usadifranci, virgohobbs, TheUglySweaterShop, popofatticus, Mitya Ku, Stefano Montagner - The life around me, Official U.S. Navy Imagery, xxxology, Valentina (GaiaPhotography), True Portraits, Lars Plougmann, Scioto Photos, Carlos ZGZ, quinn.anya, anokarina, amtecstaffing, mliu92, sfbaywalk, MakaiylaW, jerseytom55, Ray in Manila, BoldContent, stevenbates, Janitors, True Portraits, dwhartwig, Kuruman, sffoghorn
  • Blog
  • About
  • Popular
  • Education
  • Social Science
  • Travel
  • Products
  • Contact