# What's the safest word to use for breasts in mixed company? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 6, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669 "2002-07-06T19:56:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/21 "2002-07-07T01:46:10Z")
Big Boppers. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/22 "2002-07-07T06:14:54Z")
[ul]Mammary glands and their accessory parts. ;)[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Broken\_Doll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Broken\_Doll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broken_Doll)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/23 "2002-07-07T07:00:31Z")
If I’m in mixed company, I usually say “chest” or “breasts”. If in the company of anyone else, I say “titties”. ---
**Author:** ![erin\_uh\_oh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@erin\_uh\_oh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erin_uh_oh)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/24 "2002-07-07T07:45:47Z")
i have to tell you a little story before i tell you my answer, so don’t think i am trying to hijack your nice booby thread. my friend and her little sister, age three, were in a music store one time, wandering around and looking at cd’s, when her little sister happened across one that had a picture of a topless woman on it. her little sister loudly exclaimed, “dirty boo boo’s!” so there’s my answer. ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/25 "2002-07-07T11:51:47Z")
My favorite term has always been “unlicensed atomic dufflebags”. It was used enthusiastically by [Joe Bob Briggs](http://www.joebobbriggs.com/) back when he used to write his B-movie review column for the newspapers. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/26 "2002-07-07T12:05:27Z")
I’ve heard “pink nosed puppies” used, but I prefer breasts. Why do people find the need to euphemize private parts anyway? I grew up hearing “pischaloo” (sp?) for penis. I mean, we don’t use a cute name when we refer to our elbows, do we? What’s wrong with breasts? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/27 "2002-07-07T15:08:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ivylass \* > \*\* I mean, we don’t use a cute name when we refer to our elbows, do we? \*\* Hey, don’t be dissin’ my Chinese Excuse-Mes. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/28 "2002-07-07T15:48:48Z")
I’ve always found that people figure out what I mean when I say “big floppy titties.” [sub]PS: I like breasts, too. I mean, I really, _really_ like breasts…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/29 "2002-07-07T17:09:54Z")
“she’s got a healthy set of lungs” ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/30 "2002-07-07T17:33:12Z")
If you’re in really polite company, try Bumpy Bits or Mammalian Dairy Bars. Otherwise, remember the words of Mudhead, “She’s got a balcony you could do Shakespeare from!” (Firesign Theater)😛 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/31 "2002-07-07T17:49:02Z")
Personally, I _hate_ the words boobs, boobies, or titties. And when in the company of the easily offended, I prefer to say “chestal protrusions.” In the company of friends, I usually say “tits” if I have to say anything. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/32 "2002-07-07T17:50:06Z")
vaguely gesture toward the area on your person and say… " uuummmm." that should do it. ---
**Author:** ![Dirty\_Earthworm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Dirty\_Earthworm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dirty_Earthworm)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/33 "2002-07-08T07:59:52Z")
**Dumbguy** … your _grandma_ calls them “funbags”?! BWAHAHAHAHAHA! 😃 **FairyChatMom** , I have to agree with you about the word “boobs,” although I wouldn’t necessarily say I _hate_ the word. I just find it silly. “Breasts” works well in polite company, and “tits” is fine in impolite company. My SO, on the other hand (or is it on the other breast?), prefers “boobs” to “tits” for the same reason, so go figure. Oh, and **Bryan Eckers** - “Chinese Excuse-Mes” is the funniest thing I’ve read in weeks. Thanks for the laugh. -Dirty ---
**Author:** ![Ssarl\_the\_happy\_Martian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Ssarl\_the\_happy\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ssarl_the_happy_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/34 "2002-07-08T09:32:20Z")
Um… Breasts? ---
**Author:** ![leechbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@leechbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leechbabe)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/35 "2002-07-08T10:23:23Z")
Why are we talking about our breasts in polite company anyway? Are we not meant to be discussing the weather and cucumber sandwiches (crustless of course). Anyhoo my preference is for breasts - unless I’m out with the boys and then boobies is good. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/36 "2002-07-08T11:09:53Z")
Breasts, mammaries, the chestal area. Oh! And Bosom. Bosom is good. (And before the jokes start, bosoms ARE good, although my appreciation is oaf course largely intellectual.) ---
**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:** [July 8, 2002, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/37 "2002-07-08T13:09:56Z")
As I explained to my 4 year old niece, as she was looking at a magazine advertisement: “They are called breasts. Women have breasts and they wear bras.” ---
**Author:** ![Sparrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Sparrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparrow)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/38 "2002-07-08T13:23:57Z")
Any other Brit dopers remember Pete 'n Dud (Peter Cook and Dudley Moore) and their references to “busty substances”? ---
**Author:** ![Mooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mooch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooch)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/39 "2002-07-08T16:50:26Z")
Once describing an enormously large pair to my mom, I held out my hands to visually help me and said “She had…” My mom said, “what, arthritis?” Since then, the word is arthritis. ---
**Author:** ![MachV](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@MachV](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MachV)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2002, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669/40 "2002-07-08T16:57:28Z")
I usually say “mmmfff mmmf mmph mfff”. But only when they’re in my mouth. (anyone care to out-tacky _that_ comment? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-safest-word-to-use-for-breasts-in-mixed-company/117669.md?page=3)