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Sunday, April 9, 2006

The Dirty Word in 43 Down: A New York Times crossword gaffe. “Scumbag” means “condom”? Huh. News to me. I’d never actually thought about it.

Permanent Link: Dirty Word in Crossword  4:15 PM |




6 drops of oil

  1. I actually did know that, but only because one time in jr. high I referred to someone as a “scumbag,” and my father, then in the height of self-righteousness so common to born-again Christians, told me never to use that word because it meant “a used condom.” I said, “Ew.” Then I said, “Dad, you’re a dork.” And then he got mad again because he said, “Don’t call me that, dork means ‘penis.’” Sigh.

    Donated by Andy
    4/9/06 @ 4:42 PM


  2. That’s just grody.

    Donated by homer
    4/9/06 @ 8:55 PM


  3. I greeted a co-worker over the phone last year with “how’s it hanging?” without a thought as to the referent of “it.”

    It’s easy to see how “scumbag” could lose its original meaning; the pejorative reading comes a lot more naturally. Who would want to use that colorful word while talking about something as useful-yet-distasteful as an actual condom? You wouldn’t do it either in polite company or in the boudoir.

    Donated by Mike B.
    4/9/06 @ 10:30 PM


  4. So wait, what’s soap scum then? This is silly.

    Donated by Luke
    4/10/06 @ 1:05 AM


  5. That’s adorable. You’re saying that makes me want to pinch your cheeks.

    Donated by Karen
    4/11/06 @ 10:35 PM


  6. Was that the original meaning? I’m shocked!

    Donated by Aaron
    4/12/06 @ 9:12 AM