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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I the only person who can't stand the word fanny?

148 replies

Useruser1212 · 11/12/2023 00:05

I find the word fanny ick and uncomfortable. I really cringe when people use it. It just sounds vile and reminds me of like a big fat builder fanny or something weird like that (I know, what is wrong with me!?) But seriously is anyone else the same?

What other words make you cringe??

OP posts:
jemenfous37 · 12/12/2023 07:10

@steff13 Apologies, it should be pack!
Didn't spell-check

TroysMammy · 12/12/2023 07:14

Tailfeather · 11/12/2023 00:15

Eeew. Me too. I work with only females and they often refer to 'down there' as their fannies and I quietly shudder.

GP surgery? I always hear them saying "down below" and the cringy "passing water". I was open mouthed when one colleague wrote down "front passage".

RenoDakota · 12/12/2023 07:31

This has reminded me of when I found out (on here) about Hairy Growler jewellery. There were some epically funny comments along the lines of "Have you seen my / I showed him my Hairy Growler"

HotGirlInHell · 12/12/2023 07:50

I'm Scottish and don't mind it used as a pisstake, as in, stop it ya fanny.

Otherwise? Ick.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 12/12/2023 07:59

Pinkywoo · 11/12/2023 12:38

Surely fanny is just the equivalent of willy? It was the normal thing to call it when I was a kid, much better than all these stupid twee names like fairy, daisy, flower etc.

I agree,that's how it's used where I live.

presentadvice · 12/12/2023 08:40

KinS24 · 11/12/2023 16:22

Am quite fond of Fanny. It’s in the saucy seaside postcard camp.
I refer to mine as my Volvo.

😁

I like this!

Oh yeah, come in, I’ll take you for a ride : ))

Catsmere · 12/12/2023 09:45

(Edit to add what I was trying to quote)
@TroysMammy
GP surgery? I always hear them saying "down below" and the cringy "passing water". I was open mouthed when one colleague wrote down "front passage".
**
Even worse when "front hole" is used - demeaning and inaccurate (the vagina is behind the urethra).

2chocolateoranges · 12/12/2023 09:49

I’m from Glasgow and use the word Fanny as a joke insult.

Eg,

you’re such a fanny (especially if someone has done something silly or daft)

stop fannying about(stop carrying on)

don’t use is to describe a body part that’s just icky.

ArsenicInTheAppleTart · 12/12/2023 09:58

Tailfeather · 11/12/2023 00:15

Eeew. Me too. I work with only females and they often refer to 'down there' as their fannies and I quietly shudder.

people who refer to 'down there' make me shudder.

Bernardmanning · 12/12/2023 16:35

This has reminded me that my grandma used to call me Fanny Fanacapan as a child. Assuming it to be entirely made up, I have just googled it and it was used as a northern common term if endearment! Has anyone else come across this?

Pinkywoo · 12/12/2023 18:48

Bernardmanning · 12/12/2023 16:35

This has reminded me that my grandma used to call me Fanny Fanacapan as a child. Assuming it to be entirely made up, I have just googled it and it was used as a northern common term if endearment! Has anyone else come across this?

You're just reminded me my Grandad would call me fanny Ann if I was being slow!

CheerfulBunny · 12/12/2023 19:15

@Pinkywoo Yes! I was widely known as Fanny Ann by my mum and nana as a child. My best friend does it now from time to time which I find comforting 🙂

eduwot · 12/12/2023 19:18

I hate it too! Ughhh!

Olyavi27 · 02/09/2025 12:51

Same, I resent that word. Just as much as I resent the word “knickers”. They both sound so vile and absolutely filthy it makes me gag when I hear them.

RobertaFirmino · 02/09/2025 13:03

I don't like it at all, apart from 'fannying around'. The most hideous, unacceptable use of the word is in bed. I have ended things with someone after they used the word whilst we were committing unspeakable acts. The ick was too much (and yes, I know 'ick' is cringeworthy too!).

Idontjetwashthefucker · 02/09/2025 13:15

I hate fanny too....but not as much as pussy shudders

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 02/09/2025 13:22

tomatoontoast · 11/12/2023 00:16

Fanjo is even worse in my book.

But on the plus side, it rhymes with 'banjo' and so can be probably be used to great comedic effect in a limerick.

(I will have to go away now and see if I can make one up... )

Icanttakethisanymore · 02/09/2025 13:24

Olyavi27 · 02/09/2025 12:51

Same, I resent that word. Just as much as I resent the word “knickers”. They both sound so vile and absolutely filthy it makes me gag when I hear them.

What we really need to know is how you found this Fanny thread from 2023 in order to resurrect it!

NCSue87 · 02/09/2025 13:24

Useruser1212 · 11/12/2023 00:09

@Ortila I have absolutely no idea. It's just the mental image I get when people use the word fanny as a reference to vaginas.

I get an image of an old fat woman who smells. I don't have any idea why. I hate the word.

My ex called hers 'her fan'. As in if the dog stuck her nose between her legs (like they do!) 'Gerrof me fan!'

I found that more odd-but it was preferable to 'Fanny'!

DiscoBob · 02/09/2025 13:28

It seems aggressively 80s or Scottish. I find it reminds me of childhood and I think it sounds silly. I certainly wouldn't use it except maybe as joke, calling someone a fanny. But my family are Scottish. It doesn't offend me and I rarely hear it.

RosesAndHellebores · 02/09/2025 14:19

Aunt Fanny, Famous Five
Fanny Cornforth, Rosetti/Pre-Raphaelite muse
Fanny - not uncommon girl's name in France

Still don't mind it as word for something often called far worse or more cringe worthy names.

BauhausOfEliott · 02/09/2025 14:42

No idea why this thread has been resurrected, but the word 'fanny' just makes me laugh. I wouldn't use it as my routine preferred term, but both 'fanny' and 'minge' make me laugh if they're in a conversation where we're being deliberately crass for comic effect. My two best friends and I used them both, along with 'flue', in a WhatsApp chat this morning in which one of us was relating the story of a particularly undignified gynaecology incident.

If anyone used either term in the bedroom, though, the anatomy in question would close up reflexively like a Venus fly-trap, never to open again in their presence.

That said, my preferred bedroom term for it is just 'cunt', which I know is very, very un-Mumsnet of me. I like my dirty talk as dirty as possible.

didgeridid · 02/09/2025 14:55

I would use fanny as an insult only. I certainly wouldn't want my kids to say it 🙈
But I did a family tree and only a few generations back a Fanny married a William 🤣🤣

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