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What do you call your period in public? I mean, “period” is usually pretty simple enough – perhaps bystanders would think you are having a chat about punctuation and grammar. But I get that even though periods are totally natural, they can be a little embarrassing to discuss.
In those cases, you may want to speak in code. In fact, some people turn to a few options that are a little more… linguistically creative for referring to menstruation. And let me tell you, some of these get very creative to the point where I kind of find them a little bit gross.
If you’re cool using them, no judgment and more power to you! I just know that I can’t use any of these phrases to talk about my period without feeling the slightest bit grossed out. So here are ten period names that make me uncomfortable and why:
Ride The Cotton Pony
I'm really weirded out by this phrase. Like... I get it (the whole "pad is to saddle" analogy), but I don't really want to get it. Source: Shutterstock.comHaving The Painters In
Because comparing a period to some kind of art activity does not sit well with me. Nope, just doesn't. Source: Shutterstock.comThe Crimson Wave
Tidal waves are massive. A crimson wave... I don't want to think about that brewing down there. Although Cher Horowitz had no problem saying she was "surfing the crimson wave" (to her teacher, no less), I wish not to think about surfing in relation to periods. Source: Shutterstock.comOpening The Flood Gates
See previous slide about "waves." While actually saying "flood gates" isn't gross, when I think about comparing a period to the sheer magnitude that is an open flood gate, I start getting queasy. Source: Shutterstock.comThe Red River
Okay, last water one I swear (but honorable mention to "the waterfall"). Rivers just don't stop flowing. I don't want to think of my period never stopping... ever. So yeah, grossed out. Source: Shutterstock.comShark Week
Even though this name is based on a myth, I still think it's kind of gross to think about being hunted by sharks during your period. Shudder. Source: Shutterstock.comOn The Blob
This was a photo search result for "blob." Why would I want to think about my period being like dealing with some creepy alien monster like this every month? Gah, kinda gross. Source: Shutterstock.comThe Tomato Soup Is Overcooked
This is apparently a phrase from the Netherlands, but I guess I don't like associating menstruation with meals. Source: Shutterstock.comClam With Red Sauce
Yeah, another food one. Again, I just don't want to associate periods and food. It doesn't sit well for me. Source: Shutterstock.comLeak Week
During a period, getting a leak is not particularly appealing. In fact, avoiding it can cause some stress. Announcing this entire week will be full of leaking makes me stressed which makes me feel sick (and feeling sick is gross). Source: Shutterstock.comWhat terminology do you use to refer to your period? Do you ever get grossed out by terms other people use to refer to menstruation? Tell me in the comments.
15 Of Your Most Embarrassing Period Moments
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My friends and I call it TOM.
Get it Time Of Month?
Me and my friends have loads of coad words and one of those is period. our code word is ‘cue’, it’s pretty good though it kind of akward when i watch Snooker with commentry
My friends and I call it Red Ninja.
Hey! nice way to put it.
Ever since that one doctor who episode came out, I’ve been calling it the crimson horror.
My Friend would say My kool- laid is dripping, Lol too me that is funny but gross
A friend of mine calls it her little friend
I call it “the visitor”
I don’t know why girls in our society are made to feel like their periods are disgusting and unnatural. We’re supposed to do whatever we can to conceal our periods… I honestly don’t even want to count how many times you used the word “gross” in your slideshow. The slideshow was funny and amusing, but I wish all the period hate would’ve just been left out.
Well, some girls have serious problem with their period. Some girls bleed heavy, and it is painful.
Your opinion is kind of biased.
or: dalmatian!
~ya, know cause dalmatians have spots on their fur and its like a period.
we say steve…
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Ragtime; Uncle Red is visiting, cousin Dot, Aunt Flo; Gotta get a bed for my Uncle Red.
My sisters, my mother, and I refer to our periods as “ragtime”. It sounds like jazz, but it’s like saying “on the rag” only catchy (or so I think). My friend would say she was having her goldfish (???) or something, and would inform me when she needed to change her “goldfish bowl”
ACK!! The food thing is pretty disgusting, though. I must admit .
In France they say: “Les Anglais ont debarque” (long e at the end, i can’t type the accent right now). It means “The English have arrived.” My friends and I always laugh about that one.
Well one that I’ve heard that I thought was a little weird was,
“Is your red headed cousin visiting for the week?”
lol cx
My friends and I call it shark week because a sharks brain is shaped similarly to a uterus