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.
The Tin Man
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.
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.
That’s just grody.
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.
So wait, what’s soap scum then? This is silly.
That’s adorable. You’re saying that makes me want to pinch your cheeks.
Was that the original meaning? I’m shocked!