# Why isn't Cosmo called "Sluts R Us"?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [December 28, 2002, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284 "2002-12-28T02:39:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/21 "2002-12-28T07:35:26Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by GuanoLad \*
> \*\*Aren’t there a bunch of articles that are “What men REALLY think about _ **whatever** _” and they ask some closeted male model, and a hunky fireman, and probably the janitor of their offices, as spokespersons for an entire gender. \*\*
And the questions are like “What would you think if your girlfriend showed up at the door wearing nothing but a smile?”
Hmmm, let’s think about that one…
---
### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/22 "2002-12-28T08:04:24Z")
I hate men mags, because they only confirm that men like what Cosmo teaches women to be, which isn’t true for many of us. Where are the mags for men that are tasteful?
---
### Author:  [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/23 "2002-12-28T08:09:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> **And the questions are like "What would you think if your girlfriend showed up at the door wearing nothing but a smile?"**
I’m pretty sure I’d be thinking that my wife would be along any minute to kick my ass up and down the street.
Although, taking this question as it’s actually meant (IOW girlfriend = wife for this duscussion) I’d be wondering what the hell she was doing wandering around in the front yard nekkid as a jay-bird.
[sub]Or did that mean showed up at the door _from the inside_?[/sub]
---
### Author:  [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/24 "2002-12-28T11:28:07Z")
I love the way they always have “AT LAST - THE SEX ISSUE” on the front cover. Yeah, cos last month you did knitting.
---
### Author:  [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/25 "2002-12-28T13:26:52Z")
It seems to me that every issue has an article titled either “10 Sure-fire Ways To Catch And Keep A Man” or “15 Sure-fire Ways to Catch And Keep A Man”, depending on how much advertising they have.
Pretty insulting to all involved, with the possible exception of the advertisers.
---
### Author:  [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/26 "2002-12-28T13:31:44Z")
The sad thing is a few years ago they bought out _Glamour_ magazine which had interesting and thought-provoking articles and turned it into a _Cosmo_ clone. Needless to say, I had a rather firm response when they asked why I didn’t renew my subscription. I used to find their polls amusing, though. Talk about mindless reading!
CJ
---
### Author:  [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/27 "2002-12-28T13:54:04Z")
It’s at least different from most of the other “general interest” women’s magazines, which each month seem to have nothing but home and child care tips, plus fattening dessert recipes alternating with “The Best Diet Ever. Really. [sub]for this month[/sub]”. Nothing like guaranteeing repeat business when you juxtapose those last two topics.
---
### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/28 "2002-12-28T15:52:49Z")
You people are being unfair to _Cosmopolitan_. The magazine actually goes a long way toward de-emphasizing sex, at least as far as the image it presents of its cover models.
I’ve always thought it uncanny how they can photograph attractive women in scanty outfits slit down to their knees and simultaneously make them appear plastic, unreal and unsexy\*.
\*No airbrushing is needed for Mariah Carey, former _Cosmo_ cover girl, who manages to look like an inflatable in any setting.
---
### Author:  [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/29 "2002-12-28T15:59:53Z")
I have only read Cosmo a couple times, and that was a few years ago (they were my friend’s, and we were on vacation, so we read them on the train), and they were _hilarious_. Is the unintentional humor no longer there? That alone makes them worth reading.
I’d feel sorry/horrified for anyone who actually took that advice seriously, though.
---
### Author:  [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/30 "2002-12-28T16:13:20Z")
Count me as another Maxim reader. I borrow my SO’s.
In Cosmo’s defense I have to say that every once in while they run a “10 Sure-Fire Ways to Get a Promotion”. [sub][sup]That can be achieved if you have “Slim Thighs”, the “Trendy Clothes That You Must Have, Yet Cannot Afford” and can trick your (obviously) male boss into it.[/sup][/sub]
What a waste of perfectly good trees.
---
### Author:  [@Buck\_The\_Diver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_The_Diver)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/31 "2002-12-28T16:23:05Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \*
> \*\*Because then no one would buy it. \*\*
I would! 😃
---
### Author:  [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/32 "2002-12-28T17:59:45Z")
OK, I am goinog to put COSMO out of business, are you ready?
“how to catch and keep a man”, fuck us and feed us.
Everything else will sort its self out.
unclviny
---
### Author:  [@JayElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayElle)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/33 "2002-12-28T18:12:21Z")
I quit reading those kind of magazines years ago. The intended message always seemed to be:
“You are a disgusting female because you possess actual hips.”
“Grapefruit/cabbage/banana diets will rescue you from your disgusting state and turn you into Claudia Schiffer overnight.”
“Do you have a headache? Feel tired? You have the DREAD DISEASE OF THE MONTH.”
“If you are wearing the color red/blue/green/purple you are so totally uncool that everyone will mock you. But if you wear these featured Peruvian legwarmers, you will be forever stylish and loved by all.”
“Men are stupid, but YOU can manipulate your Dream Monkey with these 3 simple head games.”
Bleecchh! Who needs to read that crap?
---
### Author:  [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)
#### Post date: [December 28, 2002, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/34 "2002-12-28T18:13:09Z")
We have a subscription to MAXIM. No Cosmo in sight, ever.
---
### Author:  [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2002, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/35 "2002-12-29T00:35:44Z")
I’m surprised to hear so many people who hate Cosmo like Maxim, which I see as the exact counterpart to Cosmo. I won’t allow it in my house since reading the advice column (in Maxim) on how to trick and coerce your girlfriend into submitting to anal sex.
---
### Author:  [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2002, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/36 "2002-12-29T00:48:22Z")
I would like to echo the above post, I when I look at Cosmo out of curiosity ('Im a guy) I get the impression it is a magazine that really doesn’t like men very much. When I read Maxim I have the same feeling, the writes dispise woman with the same passion Cosmo does. Cosmo & Maxim IMHO are designed for men & women who desire each other but don’t really like or respect the opposite sex.
---
### Author:  [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2002, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/37 "2002-12-29T02:37:57Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Plus, spitting is just so un-Cosmopolitan.
Well yeah… But who told, dammit?!?
:eek:
😃
---
### Author:  [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2002, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/38 "2002-12-29T02:53:55Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by bluethree \*
> \*\*I’m surprised to hear so many people who hate Cosmo like Maxim, which I see as the exact counterpart to Cosmo. I won’t allow it in my house since reading the advice column (in Maxim) on how to trick and coerce your girlfriend into submitting to anal sex. \*\*
There’s always the subliminal method. “Hey, sweetie, how’s it going. Can I shove my cock up your ass? Wanna see a movie tonight? Can I shove my cock up your ass? Or should we just stay home where I can shove my cock up your ass? You just let me know.”
---
### Author:  [@stockton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stockton)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2002, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/39 "2002-12-29T04:11:46Z")
First, all apologies to our good friend **cosmopolitan** , who’s getting a bad rap from all this chatter (or thinks he is).
Hypothetical example “poll:”
"When your boyfriend comes home from the office, do you:
1: Yell at him and make him take you out for sushi.
2: Surprise him with you AND your sister in bed for some hot action.
3: Cry and call your daddy to come pick you up."
Um… what the hell ever happened to a smooch and watching the news and going out to eat? That’s what WE do, on this planet (PS: I’m hitched now, but that’s what we still do). Bah, Cosmo.
---
### Author:  [@Skeezix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skeezix)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2002, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284/40 "2002-12-29T05:17:21Z")
**Cosmo** : I’m sorry, but that’s priveliged information. I am not allowed to name my anonymous sources.
[sub]“I made it up” is a protected anonymous source, right? That’s what the guys at the Daily Midnight Star told me, anyway.[/sub]
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284.md?page=1)
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cosmo-called-sluts-r-us/145284.md?page=3)