Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter
IT IS amazing how the male and female genitals are so ridiculed in Jamaica that they are often associated with names other than the correct ones. In many rural parts of the island, parents are usually so shy with children when referring to the penis or vagina they use quirky pseudonyms.
"As a child I grew up hearing my mother calling the penis 'buddy'. Now that I have a son I sometimes refer to his penis as 'buddy' too. I guess it is tradition but it is not something you have to live by," said *Jane Miller, housewife in Clarendon.
'WILLY'
Even in the British culture they use other names for the genitals. *Peter Simpson, resident of the United Kingdom told Flair that his mother, when referring to his penis called it 'willy'. He noted that there are a wide variety of names given to both the female and male genitals in England.
After a quick 'poll' Flair realised that most men's parents referred to their penis as 'teapot'. That name topped the list. For females it was not that simple, there were far more names. Some individuals in Clarendon said as children, they heard the vagina being called 'chunnie' or 'chocho'. In St. Mary, some said their mothers and other adults referred to it as 'pokey.'
'CHUNNIE'
Both males and females told Flair that often when their parents reminded them to be careful when bathing, they would say, make sure to wash your 'chunnie' (female) or 'teapot' (male) properly. Also some said their parents simply did not refer to their genitals at all. And they learnt about the correct names - penis, vagina - at school or through books.
Sociologist Dr. Orville Taylor explained that in all cultures when it comes to sex and sexuality, euphemistic terms are often used. He noted that the tendency to euphemise genitalia is from the Christian tradition.
"In the early Christian Church it was the belief that sexuality was nasty. Also there are some sects that held a belief that the original sin is sex," explained Dr. Taylor. People are victims of tradition.
They tend to stick to what they are associated with without even realising that they do so.
*Names changed to protect identity.
QUIRKY NAMES FOR MALE GENITALS
JAMAICA:
Pem-pem
Willy
Tealie
Tea pot
Johnny
Peckers
Buddy
Poppy
ENGLAND:
Todger
Chopper
Crown jewels
Wonker
QUIRKY NAMES FOR FEMALE GENITALS
JAMAICA:
Chun-chun
Pum-pum
Porkey
Fishie
Couchie
Snatch
Hairy bank
Cherry
Punanie
Mimie
Chocho
Chunnie
Punash
Vagie
Cushu
Tun-tun
ENGLAND
Gash
Slit
Muff
