# Inoffensive words that make immature people snicker **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 19, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inoffensive-words-that-make-immature-people-snicker/676690 "2013-12-19T03:39:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inoffensive-words-that-make-immature-people-snicker/676690/121 "2013-12-25T15:15:14Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > There’s no way that’s right. The word “Duty” in its sense of “work, undertakings or responsbilities which must be performed” sense has been around for centuries - “England Expects Every Man Will Do His Duty” being a classic and recognisable example from 1805. > > Whilst people of that era were certainly fond of euphemisms and the like, that isn’t likely to have been one of them, at least from mums referring to their babies. > > My understanding is the word “Duty” comes from Latin via Old French and I there’s no way mums in the Roman Empire referred to their babies “paying their dues” or “meeting their responsibilities” every time they filled their nappies. If you’re saying that “Duty” in the sense of “poop” comes from Latin via Old French, that’s something I’d like to see a cite or evidence for. I’m not aware of any use of it earlier than the introduction of “duty” in its other sense. And, contrary to what you’re saying, it seems to me altogether likely that this is a euphemism, especially given the “England expects Every Man Will Do His Duty” – pooping being the baby’s duty. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inoffensive-words-that-make-immature-people-snicker/676690/122 "2013-12-25T22:57:37Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > If you’re saying that “Duty” in the sense of “poop” comes from Latin via Old French, that’s something I’d like to see a cite or evidence for. I’m not aware of any use of it earlier than the introduction of “duty” in its other sense. And, contrary to what you’re saying, it seems to me altogether likely that this is a euphemism, especially given the “England expects Every Man Will Do His Duty” – pooping being the baby’s duty. I’m saying I don’t think “Doody” (faeces) comes from “Duty” (as in “Obligation”) and I’d be interested to see a cite to the effect it does. It could equally be argued the word comes from"do" or “doo-doo” because that’s what babies do - poo a lot. Euphemisms were a Victorian thing - earlier eras were typically more direct except when it came to political satire or diplomacy. And in all the Victorian writings I’ve read, I’ve never seen a reference to babies “doing their duty” by virtue of nappy-filling. It sounds like one of those myths about Victorian prudishness (like the little skirts on furniture legs) that people keep repeating because it sounds good and has a high truthiness quotient, but isn’t actually verifiable (or has even been shown to be incorrect). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inoffensive-words-that-make-immature-people-snicker/676690.md?page=6)