What Did You Call It?

Do you call it the “vajayjay?” If so, you’re not alone. There’s more on that “below” so to speak.

It’s no wonder there have been many nicknames over the generations for the word “vagina.” Even in today’s modern times and 21st century, the vagina, or the birth canal of the female reproductive system, remains censored across multiple platforms and policies.

Some see the six-letter word as meaning that which is overtly sexual, profane, vulgar or unprofessional. How can any of this make sense when the vagina pertains to women’s bodies and pelvic health?

A Little Anatomy 101

The vagina does not make up the entire female reproductive tract, nor is it the only erogenous zone. In fact, the vagina is a specific part and an internal organ. It is the canal connecting the vulva to the cervix and uterus. The vulva is something else although many individuals often use the words vagina and vulva interchangeably. The vulva features a collection of outside or external female genitalia, including the inner and outer labia, clitoris, vaginal opening and urethral opening.

The vulva also plays a key role in helping protect the sexual organs and acts as the main pleasure center to enhance sexual pleasure.

So Many Nicknames

Before the nickname or euphemism “vajayjay” was ever coined, there was a boatload of other names used to describe a woman’s most intimate anatomy. Even William Shakespeare enjoyed saucy wordplay so very long ago. In 1590, his comedy play “Taming of the Shrew” contained much flirty banter between Petruchio and Katherine. At one point, Petruchio compares Katherine to a wasp and ends with him adding “My tongue in your tail.” The word tail was also a euphemism for…yes, the vagina.

Did you know that there are 2,600 slang terms for male and female genitalia throughout the history of the English language? Lexicographer Jonathon Green did abundant research on it studying more than 6,000 books, newspapers, plays and vintage publications to compile this list. Also, Dr. Steven Pinker, a psychology professor at Harvard and the author of “The Stuff of Thought,” has concluded there have been at least 1,200 terms for the vagina alone.

For instance, nicknames for the vagina throughout the centuries have included tinderbox, purse, fur pie, pussy, cock pit, hairy donut, Venus’s cradle, bacon sandwich and bikini burger.

The oldest and most vulgar word for the vagina was recorded around 1220, according to Green. Unfortunately, the word c**t has stuck around throughout the ages.

“Grey’s Anatomy” Connection

The well-known vajayjay nickname has been popular and a part of mainstream speech since Feb. 12, 2006. That is when Shonda Rimes, the creator of ABC’s hit TV show “Grey’s Anatomy”, came up with the term for a scene in which the character Miranda Bailey, a pregnant doctor who had gone into labor, admonishes a male intern, “Stop looking at my vajayjay!”

Rimes said she had to come up with another word for vagina since television executives didn’t want the script to overuse the word. However, the double standard was quite evident because Rimes says the TV show allowed a past episode where you could say “penis” 17 times without issue.

Ever since TV viewers heard the word vajayjay used, it has stuck around. Even Oprah Winfrey was a fan and started using vajayjay on her weekly TV show, and her audience approved.

Confronting the Stigma

There is certainly nothing wrong with using euphemisms or slang words, but isn’t it time to start calling anatomical organs by their anatomical names? Shouldn’t women be proud of their bodies?

The pervasive censorship has to stop. Vagina and vulva are not dirty words. There’s no shame about the amazing and intricate female reproductive system. These incredible organs allow women to have sexual pleasure, menstruate, get pregnant and deliver a baby.

It’s time to normalize the word “vagina” (and vulva).