# What comes to mind when you hear the phrase 'moral turpitude'?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-hear-the-phrase-moral-turpitude/1000979>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [April 30, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-hear-the-phrase-moral-turpitude/1000979 "2024-04-30T18:48:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-hear-the-phrase-moral-turpitude/1000979/41 "2024-05-01T20:49:28Z")

</div>

> [@Pleonast](#):
>
> I conflated “turpid” and “turbid” for years. I now remember they’re different words, but have to look up which is which.

I’ll have the turbot, dude.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-hear-the-phrase-moral-turpitude/1000979/42 "2024-05-01T20:59:17Z")

</div>

…and then, there’s also Judge Turpin in “Sweeney Todd”. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to hear that ‘turpitude’ was a source for the name.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-hear-the-phrase-moral-turpitude/1000979/43 "2024-05-02T13:59:19Z")

</div>

> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#):
>
> I mostly heard it with the Clinton/Monica scandal and impeachment. Haven’t heard it so much since.

I’d like to refine this. You used to hear it a lot with regards to politicians and scandals; not so much in the last 20 years or so.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-hear-the-phrase-moral-turpitude/1000979.md?page=2)