My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

AIBU?

Using the word "vagina" when you mean "vulva"

111 replies

LividofLondon · 13/01/2014 17:55

AIBU to think that people should know the difference between these parts of the body and use the correct names? It's not uncommon to hear people use the word vagina (the internal organ) when they clearly mean the vulva (the external parts). For example, "the great wall of vagina" sells a "Vagina Casting Kit", but you're going to be smearing alginate over your vulva not shoving it up your vagina! They also sell "The big coloring book of vaginas", and mention "...From the compact smooth vagina to a coiffed vagina with full lips..." when they mean vulva FFS! It grinds my gears!

OP posts:
Report
Bootycall · 13/01/2014 17:59

no life's too short to worry about crap like this.

Report
SoupDragon · 13/01/2014 18:01

Just be thankful they aren't calling it a frou frou.

Report
WaffilyVersatile · 13/01/2014 18:04

People should know the difference. I would vote for you - burn the ignorant I say

Report
Binkyridesagain · 13/01/2014 18:06

Vagina - every one knows what you mean.
Vulva- only those that have paid attention know what you mean.
Moo Moo - you need help.
Frou Frou - you must be shot

Report
meddie · 13/01/2014 18:08

Sugar puff is our preferref terminology. Though it rules out eating a particularly tasty breakfast cereal anymore

Report
mistermakersgloopyglue · 13/01/2014 18:09

This seems to be a bone of contention on mumsnet that I really struggle to get worked up about.

Everyone knows what you would mean if you said you had an itchy vagina, it really doesn't matter if you don't use the word vulva (which, by the way is the ugliest words I have ever come across, even just saying it makes me cringe!). Plus I have never heard anyone use the word vulva in real life, vagina, vag or one of the million alternatives always seems to cover it.

Report
Fairylea · 13/01/2014 18:10

I literally could not give a flying fuck what people call it as long as they go for regular smears and aren't embarrassed to talk to a gp or medical professional about it.

Honestly I have never heard people get so riled up about this issue anywhere but mumsnet.

Report
GlitzAndGiggles · 13/01/2014 18:11

Well don't let it grind your gears

Report
procrastinatingagain · 13/01/2014 18:13

It annoys me too op! I am very literal-minded though, so I understand that most people don't bother about it, and I keep quiet in RL.

Report
LEMmingaround · 13/01/2014 18:15

dunno - i call it pussy :)

Report
HoratiaDrelincourt · 13/01/2014 18:17

You've just taught me the difference, and I have a GCSE in Biology.

That's why I tend to use the word fanny.

Report
stooshe · 13/01/2014 18:18

I hate the words "vagina" and "vulva". I wasn't raised as no fool and do know what they both are, though.

Report
fluffyraggies · 13/01/2014 18:21

I cant get worked up about it, as such, but it does seem odd to be calling an external bit of your body the specific name for an internal part. And vagina is very specific.

I think the popularity of words like moo moo and flower, etc, is directly because there is no commonly known all encompassing word for a woman's genital area. Other than privates.

Which is what i'd say, i think, 'my privates are itchy', if my vulva was itchy. I wouldn't say my vagina was itchy if it wasn't.

Maybe the word vulva should be dragged into use. It is a real thing, and all women have one.

Report
BrandNewIggi · 13/01/2014 18:22

Mister aker if you say you have an itchy vagina to your doctor, when you really mean vulva, how will they know how to treat you?

Report
SilverOldie · 13/01/2014 18:22

I don't give a damn what anyone calls it, except for the awful 'front bottom' which I once read on a thread on here.

Report
Bootycall · 13/01/2014 18:23

my dm in her 80s refers to it as her 'holiday money' now that is disturbing.

me and dds ( teens) say hoobijiibee. no idea why.

vulva reminds me of Vulcan and dr Spock.

who cares anyway.

Report
meddie · 13/01/2014 18:23

Its a bloody ugly word though.

Report
BrandNewIggi · 13/01/2014 18:23

I think vagina is perhaps seen as the "important" part, the anti-penis if you like. So for that reason I prefer using vulva. Thank heavens have boys though.

Report
ChristmasYoni · 13/01/2014 18:26

Faloolah * Smile

Report
Bootycall · 13/01/2014 18:26

I like front bottom, it's descriptive. Grin

Report
LividofLondon · 13/01/2014 18:27

I hate the words "vagina" and "vulva"
I'm not keen either and would only use them if speaking to a doctor where I think it's important to be clear about what part I'm referring to. But if someone is going to use gynaecological terms at least use the right one I say.

OP posts:
Report
roadwalker · 13/01/2014 18:29

Ha, my friend (40's) didn't know what she peed out of
I am going for a bladder scan (dreading it) and she thought the camera would go up my vagina!!!
I pointed out that women do not pee out of their vaginas and it was news to her
She blames never having had children

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Binkyridesagain · 13/01/2014 18:30

because of MN, in this house its a Fanjo, when I'm with my sister its called a cunt.

Report
steff13 · 13/01/2014 18:32

I know the difference, of course, and I use the correct words when I am at the doctor or otherwise involved in a technical sort of conversation. Usually, though, I say hoo-ha.

Report
mistermakersgloopyglue · 13/01/2014 18:34

I think if you told a doctor you had an 'itchy Vagina' they would further question you anyway to find out exactly what the issue was. I think most doctors would suspect that you might mean vulva and make sure.

I can categorically say I have never used the term 'vulva' seriously in real life, and nor have I heard anyone else, including doctors, use it.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.