# Common actions or objects we have no word for **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 20, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234 "2014-06-20T19:04:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/1 "2014-06-20T19:04:30Z")
My example may be hard to visualize because…we have no word for it. “The ‘tee-hee’ clap” Hands formed in a steeple position and barely clapped together while the person clapping restrains glee. It’s an odd gesture meaning, “I’m really happy” or “This is REALLY good” As in, “Game of Thrones, (clap clap clap) It’s _soooo_ good.” ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/2 "2014-06-20T21:49:59Z")
I would tell you, but I have no word for it. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/3 "2014-06-20T23:41:44Z")
We have no common yet non-vulgar verb for the act of baby-making. We have a noun: Coitus. But that’s a noun, not a verb; it’s also very clinical sounding – something scientists would write in their peer-reviewed research reports. We have a verb: Copulate. But that’s also clinical, also to be used in research reports or possibly at the doctor’s office. We have a whole slew of crude and/or colloquial verbs, of varying degrees of crudeness. And we have a variety of multi-word, often euphemistic verb phrases like “making love” or “having sex”. But where’s a good, inoffensive, non-gutter-jargon but also non-cold-and-scientific one-word verb? ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2014, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/4 "2014-06-20T23:59:58Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > We have no common yet non-vulgar verb for the act of baby-making. > > We have a noun: Coitus. But that’s a noun, not a verb; it’s also very clinical sounding – something scientists would write in their peer-reviewed research reports. > > We have a verb: Copulate. But that’s also clinical, also to be used in research reports or possibly at the doctor’s office. > > We have a whole slew of crude and/or colloquial verbs, of varying degrees of crudeness. > > And we have a variety of multi-word, often euphemistic verb phrases like “making love” or “having sex”. > > But where’s a good, inoffensive, non-gutter-jargon but also non-cold-and-scientific one-word verb? When baby-making/copulation/coitus becomes as casual a topic of dinner-table converstation as what little Johnny did in school today (and I **don’t** mean what little Johny did to little Sally), then either a casual word for it will develop or (more likely) one of the words you mention will enter casual speech. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/5 "2014-06-21T00:10:22Z")
There’s no word for excretion nor the room you do it in that isn’t a euphemism or vulgar or scientific. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/6 "2014-06-21T00:47:57Z")
Verbal root _musï_- (in my conlang): _musïka_ to have sex _musïsa_ the act of having sex _musïwa_ someone who is having sex _musïthu_ someone who had sex _musïghu_ someone who is going to have sex _musïyam_ I have sex _musïyath_ thou hast sex _musïya_ he/she/it has sex, etc. The same verb does for ‘have sex’, “coitus,” “fuck,” or “make love” alike. The way to say “fuck you” in this language is: _musïlučuth_, literally ‘mayst thou be fucked’, applying the passive, subjunctive, second-person singular endings. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/7 "2014-06-21T00:59:04Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > The same verb does for ‘have sex’, “coitus,” “fuck,” or “make love” alike. The way to say “fuck you” in this language is: _musïlučuth_, literally ‘mayst thou be fucked’, applying the passive, subjunctive, second-person singular endings. That caused a misunderstanding for me with a taxi driver once. I really just wanted to know where I could find some good seafood. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/8 "2014-06-21T01:10:17Z")
There is humming, and there is singing, but I don’t think there’s a word for when you vocalize to a melody but aren’t singing words – you know, “Daaaah, daaaah, dah dah!” Friends told me that in one African language, there is a noun for the parents of your child’s spouse. I think we need that word in English. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/9 "2014-06-21T01:22:52Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > There is humming, and there is singing, but I don’t think there’s a word for when you vocalize to a melody but aren’t singing words – you know, “Daaaah, daaaah, dah dah!” I take it “scat” is not the word? ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/10 "2014-06-21T01:34:07Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > There is humming, and there is singing, but I don’t think there’s a word for when you vocalize to a melody but aren’t singing words – you know, “Daaaah, daaaah, dah dah!” > > Friends told me that in one African language, there is a noun for the parents of your child’s spouse. I think we need that word in English. there is also the word you used in your post: vocalize I do agree with the need for a word for the relationship to your child’s in-laws, particularly when you share grandchildren. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/11 "2014-06-21T02:39:26Z")
Inspired by a cute girl from years ago, I use my favorite exclamation, “Eeeeee!” Eeeeee basically means an event, person, or creature that is too adorable for words. There’s also a sad version, spelled “…eeeee…” when something sad happens, but still adorable. Example: Me: “Eeeeeee! How is the Debbie today??” Debbie: “Sick. Stayed home. Threw up.” Me: “Oh, …eeeeee… Feel better!” ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/12 "2014-06-21T02:50:12Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > We have no common yet non-vulgar verb for the act of baby-making. > … > But where’s a good, inoffensive, non-gutter-jargon but also non-cold-and-scientific one-word verb? mate? reproduce? ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/13 "2014-06-21T03:30:45Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > mate? > > reproduce? Shag. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/14 "2014-06-21T03:39:28Z")
We don’t have ways of spelling certain common expressions either. We approximate with ‘tsk-tsk’ and ‘uh-oh’, but uh-oh contains at least one glottal stop, and tsk-tsk has a clinking sound. Neither of these have letters in English. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/15 "2014-06-21T03:42:58Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > > [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > > > mate? > > > > reproduce? > > Shag. Bang? Bump? Knock Socks? Rock The Trolley? Tango Sideways? Think you can say most of those on television. > [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > I take it “scat” is not the word? Except, “scat” is primarily nonsense vocalizations, [as in this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmenumjA6k8) (@0:46, 1:23, 2:05, etc. – description lists 'em all.) Think **freckafree’s** talking about replacing actual words with nonsense sounds (or something close to it), [as in this video.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rDzdUfSrLE) ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/16 "2014-06-21T03:58:39Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Except, “scat” is primarily nonsense vocalizations, [as in this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmenumjA6k8) (@0:46, 1:23, 2:05, etc. – description lists 'em all.) > > Think **freckafree’s** talking about replacing actual words with nonsense sounds (or something close to it), [as in this video.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rDzdUfSrLE) Now I see, I’ll get right on it. > [@Sunspace](#): > > We don’t have ways of spelling certain common expressions either. We approximate with ‘tsk-tsk’ and ‘uh-oh’, but uh-oh contains at least one glottal stop, and tsk-tsk has a clinking sound. Neither of these have letters in English. What about the “tut-tut” sound you make when you suck your tongue off the back of your upper teeth? Do you think “tsk-tsk” was an early try at writing that down? Do we need to steal something like “!” from the aborigines? Inquiring minds want to know. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/17 "2014-06-21T04:18:56Z")
Yeah, I meant ‘clicking’ sound. I think it’s definitely one of the African clicks, but I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/18 "2014-06-21T04:24:59Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Yeah, I meant ‘clicking’ sound. I think it’s definitely one of the African clicks, but I could be wrong. Did you know it’s possible to be thinking “African, African, African,” and type a-b-o-r-i-g-i-n-e-s? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/19 "2014-06-21T04:40:10Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > We have no common yet non-vulgar verb for the act of baby-making. > > We have a noun: Coitus. But that’s a noun, not a verb; it’s also very clinical sounding – something scientists would write in their peer-reviewed research reports. > > We have a verb: Copulate. But that’s also clinical, also to be used in research reports or possibly at the doctor’s office. > > We have a whole slew of crude and/or colloquial verbs, of varying degrees of crudeness. > > And we have a variety of multi-word, often euphemistic verb phrases like “making love” or “having sex”. > > But where’s a good, inoffensive, non-gutter-jargon but also non-cold-and-scientific one-word verb? Like, for the actual act of having sex with intent to conceive? Copulate will probably work or you to say “John and Sue were copulating again last night”? In that case, the most common term I’ve always heard is ‘trying’. John and Sue are trying. We’ve been trying for 11 months. We tried again last night, hopefully it works! Not clinical, not vulgar, sort of lets you bypass the imagery of your friends having sex and just talking about the baby making part. ---
**Author:** ![RadicalPi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/radicalpi/32/9806_2.png) [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234/20 "2014-06-21T05:03:12Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > We have no common yet non-vulgar verb for the act of baby-making. […] And we have a variety of multi-word, often euphemistic verb phrases like “making love” or “having sex”. I’m not sure why this bothers you that much. There are plenty of common ideas with a common expression that is two or more words long. “Ice cream” for example. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-actions-or-objects-we-have-no-word-for/691234.md?page=2)