# Is it okay to say "brains", **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 31, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796 "2009-10-31T01:27:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/1 "2009-10-31T01:27:41Z")
when referring to one person’s. It’s common in some circles, I do it all the time. “Ow, my brains hurt”. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/2 "2009-10-31T01:37:04Z")
**Is it okay to say "brains"** No, tomorrow you must say **"BBBBBBBRRRRRRRAAAAAIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSS!!!"** ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/3 "2009-10-31T01:40:19Z")
Makes me wonder, would Braniac be afraid of zombies? ---
**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:** [October 31, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/4 "2009-10-31T01:49:14Z")
One of the “Gumbys” on one of the Monty Python records complains “My Brain Hurts!” It sounds pretty goofy, which is, I’m sure, why they had the character say it. So, sure, you can say it if you want. If you don’t mind sounding like a Gumby. > **[List of recurring Monty Python's Flying Circus characters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumbys)** > > Very few characters of the BBC television series Monty Python's Flying Circus appeared in more than one episode, and when they did, it was usually to link sketches together. A few well-known characters are described below. > Played by Michael Palin. Dressed in rags, and sporting a long beard, much like an island castaway, this character would start most of the early shows by struggling to cross a landscape of dangers until he got close enough to the camera to say "It's—", immediately followed ... > [@](#): > > A popular Gumby catchphrase is “My brain hurts!” which was used in the “Brain Surgery” sketch. This is also heard in the trailer for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when the crew is supposedly “looking” for someone to voice the trailer. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/5 "2009-10-31T01:49:21Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > **Is it okay to say “brains”** > > No, tomorrow you must say **“BBBBBBBRRRRRRRAAAAAIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSS!!!”** there we go, with the freakin’ _zombies_ again. I guess they could be one of the circles I mentioned. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/6 "2009-10-31T01:59:35Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > One of the “Gumbys” on one of the Monty Python records complains “My Brain Hurts!” > It sounds pretty goofy, which is, I’m sure, why they had the character say it. > > So, sure, you can say it if you want. If you don’t mind sounding like a Gumby. > > [List of recurring Monty Python's Flying Circus characters - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumbys) No, I want to say “My brains hurt”. But if I can sound like a Gumby, I’ll change. My brain hurts My brain hurts My brain hurts My brain hurts My brain hurts There, I got it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/7 "2009-10-31T02:13:23Z")
I suppose it depends how many brains you have, and only you know that. Would you also say “Penises ensue”? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/8 "2009-10-31T02:41:36Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I suppose it depends how many brains you have, and only you know that. > > Would you also say “Penises ensue”? I have two testicles. That’s a closer comparison to brains, is it not? “Testicles ensue”. See! ---
**Author:** ![brujaja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/9 "2009-10-31T04:24:41Z")
Oooooh! Unless you’re a _ **quantum zombie!** _ Then you have to say, “BRAAAAAAAAAAANES!” ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/10 "2009-10-31T04:45:19Z")
Sure, it’s okay. You won’t get in trouble or anything. ---
**Author:** ![fandango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5ac83/32.png) [@fandango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fandango)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/11 "2009-10-31T06:38:18Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Makes me wonder, would\*\* Braniac\*\* be afraid of zombies? I don’t think so–unless they need a little fiber. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/12 "2009-10-31T06:45:34Z")
> [@brujaja](#): > > Oooooh! Unless you’re a _ **quantum zombie!** _ By Jove, I’ve got it! **Michael Meyers is a quantum zombie!** You always know how fast he’s going: He never runs and he never slows down, so he’s always going at a constant walk. Therefore, you can never know where he is. His major weapon is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle… his major weapons are the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and a big knife… and the element of surprise… I’ll come in again. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/13 "2009-10-31T06:48:35Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > when referring to one person’s. It’s common in some circles, I do it all the time. > “Ow, my brains hurt”. > Peace, > mangeorge It’s okay as long as you have more than one. Take me, for instance. I have the brain of a rocket scientist. I keep it in a jar in the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/14 "2009-10-31T08:55:27Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > One of the “Gumbys” on one of the Monty Python records complains “My Brain Hurts!” > It sounds pretty goofy, which is, I’m sure, why they had the character say it. > > So, sure, you can say it if you want. If you don’t mind sounding like a Gumby. > > [List of recurring Monty Python's Flying Circus characters - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumbys) They built a new brain research institute over near Kendall Square and someday I’d love to go in there in full Gumby kit and say “are you the brain specialist?” ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/15 "2009-10-31T09:10:21Z")
Technically, we have [brains](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Brain-anatomy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brain-anatomy.jpg&h=303&w=513&sz=40&tbnid=p4XZl3Kn22TW0M:&tbnh=77&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbrain%2Banatomy&hl=en&usg=__VgpvxUYKYjcIlPKHs7wcwilU6wc=&ei=Kf3rSunSA4PitQO_wqkI&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=4&ct=image&ved=0CBkQ9QEwAw), cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla oblongata. Those would be high brain, mid brain and low brain. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/16 "2009-10-31T13:56:05Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > Technically, we have [brains](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/Brain-anatomy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brain-anatomy.jpg&h=303&w=513&sz=40&tbnid=p4XZl3Kn22TW0M:&tbnh=77&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbrain%2Banatomy&hl=en&usg=__VgpvxUYKYjcIlPKHs7wcwilU6wc=&ei=Kf3rSunSA4PitQO_wqkI&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=4&ct=image&ved=0CBkQ9QEwAw), cerebrum, cerebellum and medulla oblongata. Those would be high brain, mid brain and low brain. Mmmm… I’d tend to disagree: one organ, three constituent parts. But I have seen ‘hindbrain’ and ‘brainstem’ enough to take your point. My understanding of English usage is that we have one _brain_ (=organ of the body) which is composed of _“brains”_ (=the organic substance comprising it). Occasionally in reference to instinctive or reflexive reactions, various ‘Anglo-Saxon’ terms corresponding to the Latinate technical terms for brain constituents will be used, such as ‘brainstem’ or ‘forebrain’. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/17 "2009-10-31T14:07:58Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Mmmm… I’d tend to disagree: one organ, three constituent parts. But I have seen ‘hindbrain’ and ‘brainstem’ enough to take your point. > > My understanding of English usage is that we have one _brain_ (=organ of the body) which is composed of _“brains”_ (=the organic substance comprising it). Occasionally in reference to instinctive or reflexive reactions, various ‘Anglo-Saxon’ terms corresponding to the Latinate technical terms for brain constituents will be used, such as ‘brainstem’ or ‘forebrain’. Or you could have just linked to [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li5nMsXg1Lk). ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/18 "2009-10-31T14:09:37Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > **Is it okay to say “brains”** > > No, tomorrow you must say **“BBBBBBBRRRRRRRAAAAAIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSS!!!”** > [@mangeorge](#): > > there we go, with the freakin’ _zombies_ again. I guess they could be one of the circles I mentioned. 😃 My understanding of English usage is that when zombies say, “BBBBBBBRRRRRRRAAAAAIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSS!!!,” they want more than one brain. When you refer to one person’s brain, it’s singular, individual components thereof notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/19 "2009-10-31T14:40:49Z")
I blew his brains out. His brains were leaking out. His brains were all over the place! It’s pretty common to use the plural even when talking about one person’s brain. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796/20 "2009-10-31T14:56:01Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > I blew his brains out. > > His brains were leaking out. > > His brains were all over the place! > It’s pretty common to use the plural even when talking about one person’s brain. Yep. But the significance here is the substance, which idiomatically is the plural. Compare guts. “I have an ache in my gut” (=abdominal organ, unspecified) vs. “The knife thrust ripped out his guts” (=intestines, abdominal contents). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-to-say-brains/515796.md?page=2)