Bare Marriage Episode 301: The 4 Categories of Euphemisms about Sex--that All Drive Us Batty!
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Oct 23, 2025 Dive into the world of euphemisms in Christian marriage literature and their unsettling implications. The hosts dissect terms like 'Mr. Happy' and 'give him a gift,' revealing their disturbing contexts. They explore how vague language often prioritizes men's needs over women's well-being, and highlight euphemisms that obscure serious issues like sexual assault. Disturbingly, they expose how this language normalizes boundary violations and manipulates consent, all while urging readers to decode these phrases for a clearer, healthier understanding of relationships.
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Plain Language Reduces Shame
- Euphemisms add shame and intimacy that authors shouldn't have with readers, making sexual topics creepier.
- Sheila Rae Gregoire argues using plain anatomical words is less creepy and more respectful to women.
Use Direct Sexual Terms
- Do use direct words (penis, vulva, orgasm) when explaining sexual topics in books or counseling.
- Rebecca Lindenbach and Sheila recommend frank language to avoid creepiness and confusion.
Vagueness Masks Coercion
- Vague phrases like "give him a gift" mask requests for sexual acts while a woman is bleeding, postpartum, or ill.
- Sheila Rae Gregoire shows that translating euphemisms reveals coercive implications.
