# Need examples of things that aren't what their name implies **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 27, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432 "2011-05-27T15:14:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/121 "2011-06-01T03:24:27Z")
> [@AnalogSignal](#): > > Restroom I’m guessing you’re not a dad. As one of those, it _is_ the only room where I can get privacy and a minute to sit and read without being grabbed to “help” with something. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/122 "2011-06-01T14:53:04Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > sweetbreads > [@bibliophage](#): > > Sweetbreads (thymus and pancreas) are certainly not bread and are not very sweet. > > ETA: Damn it. Beaten to the punch again. > [@Ogden Nash](#): > > Sweetbread is a type of meat > That is neither bread nor sweet. > And since it’s neither sweet nor bread > I think I’ll have a bun instead. That was my first thought. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/123 "2011-06-01T15:42:05Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > A cat walk is for walking, and while not literally _for_ cats, it’s walking in a place (high and narrow) and of a nature (stealthy, good for observing those below) that cats are inclined to. Actually, [some are for cats](http://www.petstrends.com/2009/02/26/pet-living-tips-cat-catwalk/). Most “cat walks” aren’t, but cats do love this kind of thing. It’s quite an appropriate term. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/124 "2011-06-01T16:41:32Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > It was misnamed on purpose, becasue Iceland was where the Vikings wanted to conquer, and Greenland was a useless wasteland. I’ve heard that Greenland used to be much more temperate, before the “Little Ice Age” began in the late Middle Ages. Apparently, there was at least a small area of farmable land at the southern end. Iceland, however, has lots of geothermal heat, and has pretty much always been surprisingly pleasant for a place so far north. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/125 "2011-06-02T02:37:51Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > A soap opera is not an opera, and rarely involves soap. Have you ever seen the commercials? > [@Skammer](#): > > Neither the New York Jets nor the New York Giants play in New York. True but this can go on and on. The Washington Redskins play in Maryland. Washington Reagan National Airport is in Virginia. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/126 "2011-06-02T17:16:30Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Spotted dick. _“I never saw a spotted dick/nor do I hope to see one…”_ Following in this vein, I give you the [Slippery\_dick](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slippery_dick). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/127 "2011-06-02T17:31:19Z")
> [@Wikipedia](#): > > Slippery dick is found in fairly large sizes (3-6") and after a relatively short period in the plankton. Sure, you keep telling yourself that, Wiki editor :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/128 "2011-06-03T03:32:14Z")
“I would like to make one thing quite clear at the very outset and that is, when you speak of a train robbery, this involved no loss of train…”–Peter Cook, _Beyond the Fringe_ ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/129 "2011-06-03T03:43:01Z")
> [@DrumBum](#): > > Following in this vein, I give you the [Slippery\_dick](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slippery_dick). 😃 Let us not forget Tricky Dick. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432/130 "2011-06-03T04:48:03Z")
"birth control’’ It sounds like it should mean something involved in lamaze, but it’s used to mean contraception. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-examples-of-things-that-arent-what-their-name-implies/583432.md?page=6)