# Genitals Are Not "Junk" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 25, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910 "2010-11-25T19:07:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fish\_Cheer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fish_cheer/32/17179_2.png) [@Fish\_Cheer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish_Cheer)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/41 "2010-11-26T01:32:33Z")
I don’t care how long it’s been used. “Junk” is a stupid word to describe genitalia, and I mentally wince at it being used in this context. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/42 "2010-11-26T01:34:02Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > “bling dong” Avon calling. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/43 "2010-11-26T01:35:22Z")
> [@sleeping](#): > > Agreed. That’s why you should only refer to your genitals as “valuables,” or, for the sentimental, “my preciousness.” Make certain that the TSA agents know what you’re talking about by gesturing appropriately. I am now envisioning Gollum going through a TSA security check talking to “his precious” while looking within his loincloth. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/44 "2010-11-26T01:42:20Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > Add me to the I can’t stand the junk term pile. Oh lookie! A new term! Is that what all the cool people are calling it now?! I’ve been trying to make “hoot” happen as a way to reference for female junk. Feel free to go forth and spread it. ---
**Author:** ![BrightNShiny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/45 "2010-11-26T01:44:12Z")
Hmm… [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) shows junk as a synonym for jewelry/precious stones, but I’ve never heard it used in that sense. > **[JUNK Synonyms: 21 Synonyms & Antonyms for JUNK | Thesaurus.com](https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/junk?page=2&qsrc=121)** > > Find 21 ways to say JUNK, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com, the world's most trusted free thesaurus. Maybe Cecil needs to do a column. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/46 "2010-11-26T01:56:46Z")
I do wonder how this whole meme of referring to your dick and balls as junk started. Maybe I’m out of the loop when it comes to this things, but the first time I remember hearing it was only about a year or two ago in the Jonas Brothers episode of South Park where Mickey Mouse uses “junk” to describe the band’s genitals. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/47 "2010-11-26T02:00:07Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > “bling dong” Hello? Darn kids. ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/48 "2010-11-26T02:22:32Z")
I’m pretty sure that is was the white guys who popularized the term way back in the 90’s. White people create a significant amount of slang also. As for it being a stupid term, um, it’s slang. > [@](#): > > Sir, we have to check your package and we have to check your _package_. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/49 "2010-11-26T02:27:21Z")
48 posts in, no one has suggested ‘the merchandise?’ Son, I am disappoint. ---
**Author:** ![multimediac17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/839c29/32.png) [@multimediac17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/multimediac17)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/50 "2010-11-26T02:33:30Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Hello? Oh my god, this made me laugh SO MUCH. You are my hero. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/51 "2010-11-26T02:50:26Z")
Well, the OP’s brain is junk, and obviously it’s IN his junk, so… ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/52 "2010-11-26T03:32:53Z")
> [@rolandgunslinger](#): > > I’m not gonna be accused of being a Star Wars geek.😉 So, what you’re saying is IT’S A TRAP ?! ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/53 "2010-11-26T04:32:19Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Hello? > > Darn kids. Got bling dong ditched, huh? ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/54 "2010-11-26T04:34:41Z")
I’m not crazy about this term either, and would never use it myself, but slang is what it is. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/55 "2010-11-26T04:41:57Z")
Ironically, Jay Leno just mimicked the OP during his monologue. To paraphrase, he said: “What’s up with calling it junk? Maybe yours is junk. I remember when it was called the family jewels.” ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/56 "2010-11-26T05:44:06Z")
Totally agree. It’s a stupid euphemism and I really would like it to go away. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/57 "2010-11-26T06:10:49Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > F- Harsh. Off the booze today? > [@Musicat](#): > > When I was in the miltary, ages ago, the proper term was “family jewels.” At least it’s not as insulting as “junk.” One old d.i. I knew referred to male genitalia as “wedding tackle”. I thought that was somewhat crass, but “junk” is just sort of a bizarrely inappropriate term; not so much offensive as just odd. I do think that a major news outlet using such a colloquial term rather than any number of accepted standard or clinical descriptions is certainly a sign of decline of the quality of writing and editing. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/58 "2010-11-26T06:30:37Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I’ve been trying to make “hoot” happen as a way to reference for female junk. Feel free to go forth and spread it. You are going to confuse the patrons and employees of Hooters bars. But your idea already has a mascot you can borrow from the US Forest Service. “Give a Hoot, don’t pollute!” Woodsy Owl. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/59 "2010-11-26T06:39:12Z")
Good grief - One of the characters on _Degrassi: The Next Generation_ referred to his ‘Junkal Region’ in a _Very Special Episode_[sup]TM[/sup] about testicular cancer at least 8 years ago. This rant is much, much too late. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910/60 "2010-11-26T13:39:30Z")
i certainly don’t need a euphemism to refer to my you-know-what. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genitals-are-not-junk/561910.md?page=4)