# Do you have "delicate sensibilities"? (Word use) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 19, 2002, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848 "2002-12-19T18:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/1 "2002-12-19T18:16:41Z")
I am a free and easy, natural and real kind of person. I can and do talk about pretty much anything with my friends and family, including bodily functions. The topic itself is fine, it’s normal, I’m not squeamish about it. However, I \*\* am \*\* extremely squeamish about the language employed to do so. I am reminded of this by some thread I was just skimming regarding bathroom habits, and someone was reporting that they take “2 \*\* craps \*\* a day”. And that just gives me the yucks. “I’m taking a shit” “I just took a crap” “Taking a dump” and good Christ: “I pinched a loaf”. I shudder and recoil when I read or hear people speak of their bowel movements in this way. It just makes it so much nastier than is necessary. I even have a problem with “poop” and “pooping”. I’m fine with “going to the bathroom” “having a bowel movement” and “stool”, though it isn’t a favorite, its the preferred term with doctors. Anyone with me on this? Okay with the topic, fussy about the language? ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/2 "2002-12-19T20:16:36Z")
Can’t say I’m bothered by this. Search my previous posts and you’ll get definitive proof of that, I’m afraid! Although calling it a BM or talking about your STOOL seems rather clinical. It sounds like a doctor’s office or something. ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/3 "2002-12-19T20:22:42Z")
well… no to be quite honest… life would be rather dull without such phrases… drop a duece is probably my favorite… ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/4 "2002-12-19T20:31:39Z")
Drop a deuce is ok, it doesn’t call forth such a vivid image. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/5 "2002-12-19T20:44:29Z")
I’m with you, **Stoid**. Occasional coarse language (which, like in your example, does not necessarily involve profanity) is okay, but I don’t like to listen to it used liberally. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/6 "2002-12-20T01:51:54Z")
Bathroom references really bother me too, unless used as an exclamation when one has stubbed their toe. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/7 "2002-12-20T02:30:21Z")
Don’t mind me, I’m just gonna stand here and wait for **Lieu** to show up. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/8 "2002-12-20T02:58:07Z")
Yes. Although I work with the stuff every day, stool that is (I work in a lab) I’d prefer not to refer to it quite that way. I will say crap when expressing strong emotion but that’s about it. Not that I object to discussions about such things mind you. I just would rather use more delicate terms. I’ve always been this way and am moreso now that I work with Captain Crude. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/9 "2002-12-20T03:07:29Z")
I love both talking about bathroom festivities to whoever will listen (within reason). I also enjoy using really gross terminology. “Pinch a loaf” is one of my personal favorites. I also love describing the thickness, length, and whether or not the turd in question ended up resting above or below the surface of the water. It all seriously cracks me up, always has. Oddly enough, it didn’t when I was a kid, but I have come to find it all hilarious as an adult. I do have a few friends who concur that this is highly amusing and cackle with me. So no, neither subject matter nor crudeness bugs me. (Needless to say, I laughed so hard at the last _Austin Powers_ movie that I nearly cra— er, soiled myself.) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/10 "2002-12-20T14:51:02Z")
> [@](#): > > I am reminded of this **by some thread I was just skimming regarding bathroom habits,** \ And that just gives me the yucks. (bolding mine) I see stuff periodically that’s gross just to be gross and I agree, that’s not funny. However, some of the threads that are obviously dedicated to the subject have creative input from dopers that’s downright hilarious. If you’re intent on, as you say skimming threads regarding bathroom habits AND that just gives you the yucks, then might I suggest that your nausea is self-inflicted and easily avoidable. P.S. I’d write more but I’ve got to go launch a sea pickle. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/11 "2002-12-20T14:57:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lieu \* > [B…I’ve got to go launch a sea pickle. \*\* HA! _ **Sea Pickle!!!** _ ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/12 "2002-12-20T14:58:34Z")
I don’t know if “delicate sensibilities” is the right term, but I am amazed that an otherwise mentally stimulating group of people can be so enamored of bodily functions. ick ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/13 "2002-12-20T15:04:23Z")
Winston, give jarbaby credit for that one. _That_ woman is funny. ---
**Author:** ![Skelji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Skelji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skelji)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/14 "2002-12-20T16:06:37Z")
It doesn’t bother me at all. They’re just words. Sometimes topics like that are funny, sometimes they’re played out. Some people don’t mind, some do. Either way is fine. We’re all different. It just seems that almost anyone can find something to be offended by if they look hard enough. It’s one thing if you’re going to get on TV and say all kinds of things about a person, true or not. However, if someone is posting in a thread, or talking down the hall, or on the radio or whatever, who cares? Don’t read/listen. There’s some Pit thread going on about the “Ask the (whatever)” topics, and one person basically stated that, hey, don’t read 'em. Exactly. If someone is offended by a thread dealing with “bodily functions”, don’t read it. I’ve seen plenty of _graphic_ threads dealing with menstruation, for example. Just because it’s done in a clinical way doesn’t mean that some people might not be offended, grossed out, whatever. I’ve read parts of them, out of interest, and usually wind up closing the window. End of problem. True, they often have some sort of “TMI” warning, but when a thread has, say, “doody” or “spooge” in the title, isn’t that warning enough? Personally, there are plenty of religious-based and political threads (_cough_ Stoid;)), or statements outside of the SDMB, that make me roll my eyes. So I just ignore them. It’s not like I have to live with these people. Big whoop. Like someone once said (and I just can’t think of the name right now): “I may not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” Or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/15 "2002-12-20T16:10:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lieu \* > \*\*Winston, give jarbaby credit for that one. _That_ woman is funny. \*\* \ ***Sea Pickle** /i] Credited to **jarbaby’s** account. Winston ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/16 "2002-12-20T22:04:54Z")
Jeez, skelji, I wasn’t giving anybody \*\* shit \*\* about it, I was just wondering if I’m alone or if I have company. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2002, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/17 "2002-12-20T22:16:38Z")
My group went to Fogo de Chao for lunch today, which specializes in huge portions of meat, all you can eat. I had their Mammals Of North America platter. Sometime this afternoon I’m really going to have to go. When I do, the leviathan I send packing will likely resemble a party item from the display case of a large bakery. However, this being the holiday season, I promise **Stoid** that you’ll not read hide nor hair about it here. Merry Christmas. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/18 "2002-12-21T00:13:56Z")
As a L&D RN, I major in gross but my sensibilities are delicate—I hate hearing a BM referred to indelicately, as well as the passing of gas or the clearing of one’s nasal passages referred to crudely. ---
**Author:** ![Skelji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Skelji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skelji)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/19 "2002-12-21T01:07:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stoid \* > Jeez, skelji, I wasn’t giving anybody \*\* shit \*\* about it, I was just wondering if I’m alone or if I have company. Please…could you say “feces” instead? 😃 Hey, I’m sorry if it came off like a rant (yes, I get wordy sometimes), and it wasn’t really directed at you. You raised an issue that made me think, “Ya know, there are posters here who are _really_ overly sensitive.” I’m also getting a heavy dose of it IRL right now, so the timing was right for me to react a bit much. Between waffling family members, and having to hear political rants from the ultra-conservatives at work, I’m worn out. Consider it venting to the populace, that’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-delicate-sensibilities-word-use/143848/20 "2002-12-21T07:49:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cyn \* > \*\* as well as the passing of gas \*\* I like “poot”, sounds friendly to me.