"They want to keep 'vagina' all to themselves."

...which is why we encourage *everyone* to use it instead of silly, childish names like vajayjay or just "down there."

He's pretty much proving feminists' point.

Vagina is a tough word that refuses to roll easily off the tongue.

WTF? If it's so tough to say, how come people, even those who know better, insist on using it to refer to, e.g., the vulva?

I can guess at a few reasons: maybe because vagina indeed sounds very proper and text-book like ... but nu? so does vulva ...

Maybe it's because it is the "complement" so to speak of penis? I dunno ... but if it were so hard to say, people wouldn't insist on using it even where the usage ain't quite correct.

FWIW -- I see nothing "un-inviting" about textbook language. Maybe it's 'cause I'm a nerd, but I get just as much turned on by sex talk using textbook names for parts as anything else. ;)

From the second link in the post: Smerconish is a fill-in host for Bill O'Reilly on the Radio Factor.

Tells me everything I need to know about his credibility and authority on the female body. What an assclown.

What a moron. As if men aren't totally obsessed with their own penis that they think everyone else that doesn't have one is secretly desiring to have one, too.

Vagina is a tough word that refuses to roll easily off the tongue.

That's funny, because I said it quite easily by the time I was two, and several kids of my acquaintance did the same. I guess he just doesn't have the language skills of a bright two-year-old girl.

And..."vajayjay" is facebook? Sounds like he's the one claiming that it's immature. I'm in my 30s. I don't feel any need to associate my cunt with college students.

Even though I don't think this is true, SO WHAT if feminists want to "keep vagina all to themselves?"

Feminist or not, we're women.

Our vaginas do, in fact, belong to us, contrary to overwhelming opinion that suggests otherwise.

I think it's crazy that there's this rush to claim the vagina, as if it's up for debate who female body parts belong to.

"Vajayjay naysayers?" Trying to outcast women who don't like that word is like telling them they don't even have access to their own bodies.

Even though I don't think this is true, SO WHAT if feminists want to "keep vagina all to themselves?"

Feminist or not, we're women.

Our vaginas do, in fact, belong to us, contrary to overwhelming opinion that suggests otherwise.

I think it's crazy that there's this rush to claim the vagina, as if it's up for debate who female body parts belong to.

"Vajayjay naysayers?" Trying to outcast women who don't like that word is like telling them they don't even have access to their own bodies.

"In short, "vajayjay" has got us thinking outside of the box"

And all this time I thought vajayjay got us thinking ABOUT the box.

His whole rant about how vajayjay screams "open for business" is pretty scary stuff. It doesn't seem prudent to have an open door policy for one's vagina, err, vajayjay.

His beef is that he doesn't have an All Access Pass to the "vajayjays" of women everywhere. Apparently referring to vaginas as, um, "vaginas" is stuffy and a sign that the owner of the vagina might use discression when deciding whether or not to let a man in. Call it a "vajayjay" and all of a sudden it's "Woohoo Party Time, come on in!"

This guy obviously hasn't had many experiences - or positive ones, with feminists. Feminists don't want men attracted to their vagina? What feminist has this guy been hanging around with, Ellen DeGeneres?

What I find money is this dude used so many words in the whole thing that just seemed weird ...maybe it's just me, but ...

"Not to beat around the bush, but ...vagina."

"Words that rolls off the tongue ..."

"Can't put my fingers on ..."

Well, maybe it's cause you're an asshole, that's why you can't do that! Geez!

Happy weekend. :)

Wow. Men want a word for vagina that makes it "a happy and inviting place, with a warm and fuzzy connotation". Should we all start going around calling their penises "pee-pee"? After all, it's much more "warm and fuzzy" than saying cock or dick, which, as I recall, many men like their women to use (see it porn). Are they so afraid of the vag that they need to words that make it seem comforting? I'm not against the word, mind you, but that's just a silly reason to use it.
How incredibly immature.

pale_green beat me to it, but that quote is just full of great material...

I can't quite put my finger on it, but it seems that vajayjay is different.

If I were a woman, I wouldn't let him put his finger on it, either. *badum-crash*

Vajayjay says "hello . . . welcome" and "open for business."

Because, of course, a woman's body should be a place of business. Remember kids: sex is best when you treat it like a transaction!

"Vagina" screams textbook. "Vajayjay" says Facebook.

If Smerconish's experiences with vaginas has had them screaming, I'd suggest he's doing something wrong. Maybe that goes back to the not being able to put a finger on it?
And Facebook? Really?

In short, "vajayjay" has got us thinking outside of the box, which makes the feminists nervous.

Too easy.
Pass.

They want to keep "vagina" all to themselves.

See, I thought he was going to blame the lesbians for that- but, I suppose he probably equates the two, anyway.

That is why they are vajayjay naysayers.

I have to give him credit- that's fun to say. Try it:

Vajayjay naysayer.

Someone please write this douche an angry letter. I nominate roymac.

Ugh, I have to say I hate "vajayjay" because it's so infantalizing. It's like calling a penis a "dingle." What are we, two? Can't use grown-up words?

But I think that's exactly what guys like Smerconish like about it. You can't escape the clinical and, by extension, birth-related connotations of "vagina," but "vajayjay" pushes that aside and lets you just think about the fun, non-practical uses of the thing. It's a lot easier to use women if you don't have to think about the potential consequences of your actions. But the vagina does have a purpose, and personally I want anyone I have sex with to be well aware that, despite the contraception we're using, this act could produce a baby. If a guy can't handle this simple fact of biology, he's not mature or responsible enough to be having sex.

You know, this tool could call it a vagina, a birth canal, a vajayjay, a cooter, or a whiskerbiscuit, but that sure as fuck doesn't mean that it's going to be open for HIS business.

Ew.

I've got to say, I'm not much of a fan of the word vajayjay, but perhaps I'll warm up to the word in time. The whole vajayjay/vagina debate just makes me think of the movie Boys on the Side where Robin doesn't like to use the word 'cunt' so she says 'hoo-hoo' instead.

Jane [to nurse] It's not a goddamn cold! Don't be such a hoo-hoo.
Nurse: [apathetic] And what's a hoo-hoo?
Elaine: [kindly] It's a cunt, dear.

To build on SarahMC's letter idea, you can write a good one using Live Journal's ad-lib style template. Here is the one I came up with, but I left the brackets in so that people can fill-in the details for themselves:

Dear Idiot,
I know you believe you know a great deal about [feminism] simply because you [have talked to other sexist blowhards about how scary it would be if women had the same rights and respect as men do], or because you've read a newspaper article about [how your ass can now get sued if you sexually harass us]. But please understand that the issues in this field are far more complicated than you realize. For instance, the field isn't all about [keeping sexist assholes from ever getting laid (although that would be a nice perk)]; those of us practicing in the field spend much of our time reading articles, synthesizing facts, and seeking a deeper understanding of [the injustices that still face women and how best to remedy them]. I'm not saying that you can't have an opinion until you've [read and understood everything ever written by Judith Butler] —in fact, most of the people in our field have never done that. But we'd appreciate it if you either consult an expert, or educate yourself a little more by [taking a course or two] so that you have a basic understanding of what's going on in the field, before you confidently proclaim [“If it were up to (feminists), there'd be an image at www.dictionary.com with a sign next to ‘vagina’ reading ‘No men allowed.’�]
Thank you for your time. See you in [â–¡ class / â–¡ the library / â–¡ court / â–¡ therapy / â–¡ Hell].
Yours,
[â–¡ __________(your name here)__________]

Cooter and dingle together in one thread? That made me giggle at my desk this morning, so thanks!

Philly.com has some real winners writing for their paper. This is the same paper that featured Alfred Lubrano's article about "Stripper Poles being the New Feminism." I think one of the qualifications for writing for Philly.com is that you have to be a major tool bag.

Maybe it's because it is the "complement" so to speak of penis?

In that vein, maybe it should be "sinep" or "1/weenie." Or "reciprenis."

Vagina is a tough word that refuses to roll easily off the tongue.

That is just low-hanging fruit not worthy of my finely honed sargasm.

And whiskerbiscuit gave me my lunch-up-the-nose moment of the day!

"Pardon my directness, but I refuse to beat around the bush."

Did anyone else crack up at this hysterical use of language, or am I the only immature feminist here?

Am I the only one who can't get over the imagery of a vagina screaming the words "textbook" and or "Facebook?"

I've got to imagine his use of language is intentional here. "Bush," "finger," "tongue," etc.

Okay, my first reaction when I read "The feminists, it seems, have a proprietary interest in female genitalia" was that he thinks that feminists have a proprietary interest in ALL female genitalia, not just their own. Like they think they own everyone else's vaginas too.

Not that you do. It's actually the conservative side that tends to think they own women's reproductive systems. He's wrong either way, but I was just wondering if anyone else read it like that.

I second SarahMC's nomination of roymac!

And I think that the last thing in the world I want my vagina to be is "open for business" for this douche. I'll take a yeast infection instead, thanks.

And yes, I could say "vagina" when I was very young, too. But that one extra syllable compared to "penis" really is tricky. To get from "va" to "jine" and then get all the way back to "a," whew, what a workout.

Heh, box.

I like to use any and all euphemisms, including the proper vulva and vagina. Maybe that's just because I hate redundancy, and also because there are so many fun words out there and I must use them ALL.

Snatch and box are probably my favorites, though. Vajayjay's not bad in mixed company (I had an injury to the area maybe a month ago and had a lot of people inquiring about my bits.)

Feminists don't want men liking vaginas?

What there are no male feminists now? (Or male feminist allies if you are of that philosophical bent).

I wish people would stop using one word when they mean another, especially when that substitution is steeped in sketchy covert and casual values.

Don't say masculinity studies when you mean men's studies.

Don't say gender when you mean woman.

Don't say feminist when you mean made up fantasy of lesbians that bears no resembance to reality.

Sigh.

I'm a feminist (or pro-feminist ally), and male, and I personally wouldn't use the term vajayjay...I think it would make me seem like an infantile highschool boy who is too embarrased by women's genitalia to just call it vagina.

Vajayjay seems like one of those insider terms. If a group of women want to refer to their own genitalia as a vajayjay...then that is a bit of insider fun. But it just comes off weird and repressed/repressive when we gents use it.

He's just bitter because no woman will ever feel proprietary about the name "Smerconish".

For the record, I'm a feminist and I can't stand any of the v-words: vagina, vulva, or vajayjay. The first two are creepy and the third one just sounds dumb.

I actually strongly dislike the term "vajayjay". While "vagina" isn't the nicest word around, I think "vajayjay" sounds like a baby name or a word an 11 year old would say. It reminds me of "weenie" and "pee-pee". The only nickname I've ever used to describe my vagina is "vag", which I don't even consider a nickname seeing as how it's an abbreviation (my favorite kind of word to use in general). I am not an 11 year old boy. I can say vagina.

I can also say that, as a feminist, I am pissed that the term "vajayjay" is being used to describe my vagina - and vaginas in general. The guy is right about one thing: feminists are pissed. But we're not pissed because there is now a "term" that men can use. Women, feminists, no one, has "sanctioned" this term as the new "official" euphemism for vagina. This foolish man is assuming they did.

"Vajayjay" has become popular because it gives immature people - not just men, I have girlfriends that use it - a way to name vaginas without feeling uncomfortable.

VAGINA VAGINA VAGINA.

Any adult can say it, they just choose to be idiots about it.

Yeah, Michael, I TOTALLY get where you're coming from. I mean, why should a woman get to keep her vagina all to herself? Even letting a significant other take a peek is way too selfish of her. My vagina should have a big flashing sign saying "Hello, welcome, open for business," so any man, woman, or child who wants can take a crack at it. Oh but wait...I'm a *person,* not a sex doll.

Also really creeped out by the OB/GYN he quotes, who seemed to be in the business for his own pervy pleasures rather than, you know, treating women.

WHY WAS THIS PRINTED IN A NEWSPAPER?!?! *pulls out chunks of hair*

Well, c'mon nerdalert. It's a slow news era. It's not like there's a war on or something.

I hadn't heard of this "vajayjay" term, but right off the bat I don't like it. It just sounds immature. I'm not against slang terms (I use them a lot), but as a word, this just bothers me aesthetically.

Did anyone notice he used the extremely vulgar and not so subtle phrase "I can't quite put my finger on it." In the context of an article about vaginas, there is NO way that this was unintentional, and I can't believe his editor would allow him to use really infuriating and demeaning sexual innuendo like that. Yeah, that's fucking right you can't put your finger on it. Not on mine.

I have been deliberately trying to use the correct words for my genitals lately instead of cutesy names.
Most people also say "vagina" when they really mean "vulva."
I was saying something about my vulva to my b/f last week and I actually used the word "vulva," which felt shocking! Women have been socialized to view their own genitals with disgust, shame and embarassment. So much so that we have dozens of euphemisms for vagina and vulva. As though the words themselves are offensive.

Read this Pandagon thread about the issue. It's great, as usual.

Vagina is a tough word that refuses to roll easily off the tongue.

I don't get this at all. If you pay attention to the way your mouth moves when you say the words "vagina" and "vajayjay" (which is, really, not even a word), vagina is a word that's physically, in terms of the way you manufacture the sounds, much easier for an English speaker to say than vajayjay, which just incredibly awkward to pronounce.

I don't really get the whole talking about vaginas thing at all, though. I mean, sure, sometimes you need to talk to a medical professional about yours. And if, god forbid, you're assaulted, you may need to refer to it when talking to law enforcement about what happened. Maybe you talk about it with your lover.

But, it's not like my vagina is going off having awesome adventures by itself without me. It doesn't knit, or make ceramics, or play the flute, or run for political office. And the best things it does, I don't really have the words to describe. So, I don't know, in day-to-day life, i just don't find much reason to talk about it, certainly not enough that it needs a goofy alternative name.

This is why you should never read the Daily News. Ever.

I associate this sort of attitude with the "Save the titties" breast cancer campaign. Pro-woman at first (I mean, at least he's not talking about stinky and gross vajayjays are), but really awful once you think about it. Again, it's about separating women themselves from their "fun" body parts.

Does anyone else wonder if he was really serious? I mean, what with all the puns and stuff he put into it? Because it's really sad for him if he is serious, but if the article is a joke, then it's kinda sad that we're freaking out about it so much.

"Smerconish is a fill-in host for Bill O'Reilly on the Radio Factor."

Nightingale, if gretchen hadn't pointed this out, I might have thought it was a joke too, but O'Reilly spawn generally aren't capable of higher level snark thinking. Plus, they pretty much hate women.

Vagina is a tough word that refuses to roll easily off the tongue.

Whereas "penis" is deeply lyrical? Yeah, whatever. I guess any word over 2 syllables is difficult by the standards of this asshat.

Personally I hate "vajayjay." It sounds infantile. I don't see any reason why an adult needs to use cutesy baby-talk names for any of their body parts, unless they're talking to an actual baby. Any grown man who insists on using "vajayjay" to refer to my vagina will just have to learn to live with me referring to his penis as his "winky."
It's only fair.

EG, you gave me my biggest laugh of the day. Thanks!

"Va-jay-jay" may say "open for business," but my foot up Smerconish's ass says "No way, Jose."

In my Personality Theory class, we named some people who we thought were self-actualized (none of them made it to Maslow's list), and someone said Oprah. That automatically made me think of Oprah's Vajayjay from The Soup (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX2m0oZv1rc). In my opinion, "vajayjay" should only be used by Oprah. That's the only time it's funny.