Or is my mother weird for calling female genitalia a "willy"?

[CoalCraft]

(light-hearted)

My parents came round yesterday to see baby DD for the first time, and mum offered to do a nappy change. I went with her to show her where everything was. Mum starts opening DD up and exclaims "oh dear, it (the poo)'s gotten all up in her willy!"

Her. Willy.

At this I suddenly remembered that she'd called it that when I was small too, and not knowing any better, so had I. But it's weird right? A willy is specifically a penis, and the female version is fanny? Anyone else use willy as a slang for vulva? For the record both DD and I are anatomically normal females - we don't have penises!

In case anyone's wondering, yes mum does also use willy for penis, she just makes no distinction - it's so odd!

(Also in before the "use anatomical terms" brigade comes in, DD is far too small to use any words right now, but yes, when she's learning I'll make sure she's aware of the correct words.)

My family called it that too 🤔.

I don't like fanny though. Sounds really rough.

@DieCryHate

My mum used crutch. Yes crutch, not crotch. Haven't heard her refer to a crutch before so perhaps she calls that a crotch.

Is she Scottish?

My mum is and her and her mum both say crutch too.

Weird.

I have a DD and she knows the right words but we mainly say noonie.

Totally weird to call it a Willy!

In some parts of the country, fanny is a bit offensive - it’s like saying dick. I’d never heard it as a cutesy word before mn and it’s not a word I’d use about a baby!

I honestly can't remember ever needing to be that specific with really small children (girls). We referred to wees and poos, and to bottoms in fairly vague and general terms.
When asked how babies were conceived, by my then 5/6-year-old, I just told her the facts, I think using the anatomical terms. But I did give them age-appropriate books then and later that explained fully, and made it clear they could ask me anything. I do find the made-up type names a bit cringe-inducing but the anatomical names a bit much from a toddler and would probably just compromise with "genitals". Have never had the "vulva/vagina" confusion though, was always bemused when I read colloquial references to "vagina" meaning "vulva" as I took them literally.

Is she Scottish? My mum is and her and her mum both say crutch too.

I’ve never really thought about it but my mum says this too and is also Scottish. Maybe it’s a Scottish thing.

Once heard someone in a public toilet telling her daughter to wipe her minge, made me feel a bit eww.

Do you mean the croutch? That's from clothing terms. So not so much a euphemism. The health visitor used to keep a list (as it helped discuss things with the more faint hearted) some of them were very odd. Such as twinkle or noonoo for the vulva and labia. I don't remember willy being on the female list though!

I always thought crutch / crotch was like breeches / britches, a regional variation.

@Insertfunnyname

Definitely weird. People are so much more prudish about female genitals than male, I don't understand it

this. definitely this. so irritating.

I’ve always pondered this. I wonder if it’s because everything is kind of hidden away. And also you know, the patriarchy, double standards etc.

Crotch is down-to-earth and accurate.

I think pudendum as term that covers everything from your mound of Venus round to your perineum is quite good.

It's just a shame the etymology isn't great — it comes from "bits to be ashamed of".

Imagine a two year old trying to say "my pudendum" !

I guess if they can say kangaroo!

@LastChristmas20 just saw your post, sorry! No she's not Scottish, from Southampton