Condoms, jimmies, rubbers…you would possibly assume you’ve got heard all of them. Condoms are one of many world’s commonest prophylactics. Listed below are 5 issues that you just won’t in any other case find out about condoms and their names.
1. English Nicknames
One of the vital recognized nicknames for condom is rubber. Nevertheless, if you happen to go to a comfort retailer in Australia or New Zealand and ask for a rubber, you may be handed an eraser. This might make for awkward moments for Kiwis or Aussies touring overseas who simply need to erase a mistake: “Might I’ve a rubber, mate?”
Different English nicknames embody jimmy hat, raincoat, or hazmat swimsuit: a swimsuit you don for coping with hazardous supplies. The time period “love glove” led to the well-known protected intercourse slogan “No Glove, No Love.”
2. Worldwide Nicknames
English is not the one language that had odd nicknames for condoms. In Denmark, they’re known as gummimand, which accurately means “rubberman.” In Germany, they’re known as lummeltute, or “naughty baggage.” Hungarian terminology emphasizes the protecting side by calling a condom an ovsver, or a “security instrument.” Hong Kong equally demonstrates the protecting worth by calling a condom a pei dang vi, or a “bulletproof vest.” In Portugal they name condoms “Venus’ shirts” or camisa de Venus: bear in mind, Venus is the goddess of affection in any case, so it is sensible!
Different nations might be extra literal with their meanings: in Nigeria, a condom is an okpuamu, or a “penis hat.” In Indonesia, as an alternative of a hat, it is a “penis gourd” or a koteca.
In English a condom is typically known as a raincoat: in Greek it’s typically known as a kapota, or an overcoat. In Spain, a condom is known as a globo, or balloon. Keep in mind, though you should utilize a condom for a balloon, you possibly can’t use a balloon for a condom!
3. Nationwide Tensions
Some nicknames of the condoms display worldwide tensions. In Germany, a slang time period for a condom is a “Pariser,” or a Parisian. In English, condoms are typically known as French Letters. Why is France related to condoms? This may be as a result of different nations related all that was decadent with France.
As a aspect observe, a French Letter will protect you in opposition to the French Illness; or, to place it extra plainly, a condom will assist protect you in opposition to syphilis. Syphilis was known as the French Illness due to the outbreak within the French Military within the sixteenth century; it was the Italians that coined that phrase (morbus gallicus 러브젤).
The French, nevertheless, may need gotten their linguistic come-uppance with their terminology. The French known as syphilis “la maladie anglaise,” or the English Illness. They even known as it the Italian illness or the Neapolitan illness too. Different nations had been equally derisive, with the Arabs calling syphilis the English illness and the Russians calling it the Polish illness.
Though most nationally-derogatory phrases for syphilis at the moment are previously, the French nonetheless name condoms “la capote anglaise,” or the English raincoat.
4. Condom, France
Sure, there’s a city in France known as Condom. So far as linguists know, it has nothing do with the etymology of the phrase condom. There’s a folktale that the English acquired their phrase condom from this location. English vacationers got here and noticed French farmers stitching prophylactics from sheep guts. Whether or not or not that is true, you possibly can nonetheless get sheepskin condoms (produced from sheep intestines). They’re softer than latex or polyurethane condoms and improve sensation. Nevertheless, sheepskin condoms don’t protect in opposition to sexually transmitted illnesses, they merely work to stop being pregnant.
5. The Actual Origins of the Phrase Condom
Sadly, we do not know the true origins of the phrase “Condom.” Was it named after a Dr. Condom, or a Dr. Quondam, as some tales inform? Is it named after a British military officer, Cundum? Or is it named after the Italian courtroom adviser, Gondi? (A “gondon” or “goldoni” is one other phrase for condom in Italy).
Regardless of the origins of our phrase condom, and no matter you select to name it, put on a condom. Condoms stop undesirable pregnancies and forestall the unfold of sexually transmitted illnesses.
