Comments on: My Breasts Are Not Boobs, Thank You Very Much! http://womensvoicesforchange.org/my-breasts-are-not-boobs-thank-you-very-much.htm Redefining Life After 40 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:41:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Arunava http://womensvoicesforchange.org/my-breasts-are-not-boobs-thank-you-very-much.htm/comment-page-1#comment-74820 Arunava Thu, 05 Aug 2010 06:33:37 +0000 http://womensvoicesforchange.org/?p=7530#comment-74820 I tend to agree with Billie Brown when she expresses her anguish at female breasts being referred to as "Boobs", which means a stupid person or boor. It is indeed stupid that the life giving organ that nourished all of us in our childhood should be called that way. I think it has more to do with the american habit of using slang for everything and anything on earth. I tend to agree with Billie Brown when she expresses her anguish at female breasts being referred to as “Boobs”, which means a stupid person or boor. It is indeed stupid that the life giving organ that nourished all of us in our childhood should be called that way. I think it has more to do with the american habit of using slang for everything and anything on earth.

]]> By: Dawn http://womensvoicesforchange.org/my-breasts-are-not-boobs-thank-you-very-much.htm/comment-page-1#comment-73552 Dawn Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:44:38 +0000 http://womensvoicesforchange.org/?p=7530#comment-73552 I love that we can play with words about ourselves. When you take yourself too seriously, you create space for shame and self-consciousness. Worry should be reserved for something relevant. Revel in the creativity of our kind! I love that we can play with words about ourselves. When you take yourself too seriously, you create space for shame and self-consciousness. Worry should be reserved for something relevant. Revel in the creativity of our kind!

]]> By: Jennifer http://womensvoicesforchange.org/my-breasts-are-not-boobs-thank-you-very-much.htm/comment-page-1#comment-5495 Jennifer Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:50:53 +0000 http://womensvoicesforchange.org/?p=7530#comment-5495 While it is unfortunate that modern writers, such as those in the advertisement shown and the author herself, connect the multiple meanings of "boob," the two meanings have completely separate etymologies. They are homonyms, with the same spelling and pronunciation, but are different words with different meanings. L. <i>balbus</i> "stammering" --> Sp. "Bobo" stupid bird or person --> Modern English 1909 "Boob" as stupid person L. <i>puppa</i> "little girl" --> OF <i>pope</i> "breasts" --> 17th C English "bubbies" --> Modern English c. 1929 "boobies" or "boobs" as breasts While it is unfortunate that modern writers, such as those in the advertisement shown and the author herself, connect the multiple meanings of “boob,” the two meanings have completely separate etymologies. They are homonyms, with the same spelling and pronunciation, but are different words with different meanings.

L. balbus “stammering” –> Sp. “Bobo” stupid bird or person –> Modern English 1909 “Boob” as stupid person

L. puppa “little girl” –> OF pope “breasts” –> 17th C English “bubbies” –> Modern English c. 1929 “boobies” or “boobs” as breasts

]]> By: Dr Patricia Allen http://womensvoicesforchange.org/my-breasts-are-not-boobs-thank-you-very-much.htm/comment-page-1#comment-5494 Dr Patricia Allen Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:41:27 +0000 http://womensvoicesforchange.org/?p=7530#comment-5494 Bobbie, we are so glad that you are now one of our contributors. You have a wonderful way of pointing out a word that is no longer acceptable as a euphamism for breasts. We at www.womensvoicesforchange.org spend much of our time struggling with the meaning of a word and how it has come to define us. We began with the word, menopause, but essays like this move us forward. We can allow others to define us with unaceeptable words, or to use words in a way that has an out-dated and demeaning purpose, or we can reinvent those words and their meaning. When I was growing up the term "Ta Tas" was used for breast no memorable reason and I find that when I am not in a medical situation that I often refer to breasts out of nostalgia as Ta Tas. I like the sound of Ta Tas though. It reminds me of breasts on parade Fourth of July drug majorettes perhaps. Out front and proud. Ta Da! Don't get me started on the words used for vulva. Bobbie, we are so glad that you are now one of our contributors. You have a wonderful way of pointing out a word that is no longer acceptable as a euphamism for breasts.

We at http://www.womensvoicesforchange.org spend much of our time struggling with the meaning of a word and how it has come to define us. We began with the word, menopause, but essays like this move us forward. We can allow others to define us with unaceeptable words, or to use words in a way that has an out-dated and demeaning purpose, or we can reinvent those words and their meaning.

When I was growing up the term “Ta Tas” was used for breast no memorable reason and I find that when I am not in a medical situation that I often refer to breasts out of nostalgia as Ta Tas.

I like the sound of Ta Tas though. It reminds me of breasts on parade Fourth of July drug majorettes perhaps. Out front and proud. Ta Da!

Don’t get me started on the words used for vulva.

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