# Phrases that sound "dirty" but aren't... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 22, 2013, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922 "2013-10-22T12:13:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/81 "2014-11-26T02:34:48Z")
Big Dick’s Halfway Inn out in S Dak Been there it is an actual place. or was about 1999 or so. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/82 "2014-11-26T02:37:59Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > Blowing smoke up one’s ass always sounded very oddly sexual to me but has nothing to do with anything sexual as I can tell. > > Ass kissing, brown nosing, etc are similarly sexual but oddly not. I mean, nobody actually/literally/really brown-noses to curry favor with someone, do they? Or even kissing them on the ass cheeks? How those terms came to mean sycophantic I will never understand. Brown nosing came from the idea that one is following the boss so closely that when he stops one’s nose gets into his butt, or so my daddy said to me about 1960 or so. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/83 "2014-11-26T02:39:03Z")
> [@James\_Toothpaste](#): > > 😃 But what’s a cow orker? ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/84 "2014-11-26T02:40:23Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > “Hoist by his own petard.” Thunk that was a short sword. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/85 "2014-11-26T02:41:23Z")
> [@James\_Toothpaste](#): > > I like this one! Putting weiners into buns! 😃 Playing hide the sausage! ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2014, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/86 "2014-11-26T03:34:46Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I actually have a jacket from Beaver ¶ Search and Rescue. And in Big Beaver there used to be a diner called Sadie’s that had some world famous Beaver Pie. Never quite got up the courage to try some. Beaver College was an all women’s school. ---
**Author:** ![JpnDude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@JpnDude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JpnDude)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/87 "2014-11-27T06:55:26Z")
Back in high school, some smart aleck in math class would always say: **"Wanna maximize the function of my natural log?"** ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/88 "2014-11-27T17:17:38Z")
Penal complex. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/89 "2014-11-27T17:30:18Z")
Plowing the asphalt. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/90 "2014-11-27T19:14:15Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > [Psst… did’ya hear? Crapper developed the ballcock.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Crapper) I can never see the word “ballcock” without hearing it in my head in [the voice of Stephen Fry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVQpptf7SIs). “Ball… cock.” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/91 "2014-11-27T21:45:16Z")
Earlier today Mrs. J. said to me: “Those are the giblets…back off.” ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/92 "2014-11-27T22:26:21Z")
Spatchcocking. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/93 "2014-11-27T22:36:37Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Hmm…how about Tickling Your Uvula? I remember our professor in Dutch class said to but your tongue on your uvula to pronounce this word, and i said I thought only girls had those, and a girl announced she didn’t think she could reach hers with her tongue. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/94 "2014-11-28T03:16:54Z")
Lickety-split > **[What’s the origin of "lickety-split"?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343296/what-s-the-origin-of-lickety-split)** > > A STAFF REPORT FROM THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/95 "2014-11-28T18:21:07Z")
The “shoot off” tournament that took place in my region every year when I was in middle school - it was a contest where participants would be allowed to attempt a certain number of foul shots (basketball) with the best shooters advancing on to the next level. It began by school, then district, county, state, etc. all the way to a final tournament at Boston Garden, which was where the Celtics and Bruins both played at the time. I’ve forgotten the details, but doing well somehow led to money being donated to Easter Seals. The icing on the cake was during morning announcements when my Ben Steinesque vice principal would encourage all middle school boys to come to the gym at the specified time and “shoot off” - and be sure to tell your friends! It was also made clear that our families were more than welcome to attend in order to cheer us on. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/96 "2014-11-28T21:30:10Z")
I bought Mrs. Napier a DNA test for family history tracing, but the sample kit required lots of saliva, which she thought she may not be able to do. One morning we opened it all and she managed to fill the test vial, and we sent it from the Post Office and then went to a nice restaurant for lunch, and while there she said in a loud voice “That was really fun this morning, dear. I’m glad I had enough saliva!” So I said back even louder, “Oh, sweetie, that was incredible!!” ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/97 "2014-11-28T23:07:06Z")
Cock a leekie soup. Spotted Dick. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/98 "2014-11-29T13:54:04Z")
Last year I had a variety case of Flying Dog beer in the fridge. My gf’s mom loved the oyster stout. I had the honor of asking her if she’d like a [Pearl Necklace.](http://flyingdogbrewery.com/beers/pearl-necklace/) I believe someone eventually explained the laughter to her. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/99 "2014-11-29T14:12:49Z")
Cornhole tournament. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922/100 "2014-11-29T14:22:48Z")
“Fireworks in rear” Sign on the front of a little country market that had a fireworks sales area set up out back in the run up to the 4th of July. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-that-sound-dirty-but-arent/671922.md?page=6)