Throughout my life, I’ve encountered a fair share of “douche bags”—and I’m not talking about the people you might assume. Growing up in the ’50s, it seemed every mom had one of those red plastic bags hanging in her shower, proudly proclaiming its role in “the modern woman’s hygiene routine.” If I didn’t spot one at a friend’s place, I’d begin to worry about the state of her mom’s lady parts. As a preteen, I had enough to think about with my own body without concerning myself with someone else’s!
Fast forward a few decades, and the term “douching” took on a new life in the 1960s, transforming into slang for a rude or obnoxious person. Now, instead of hanging in the bathroom, the phrase is tossed around on playgrounds by kids who are blissfully unaware of its original meaning.
Just last night, my grandson called my daughter a douche bag right in front of the whole family while we were enjoying a TV show. After a brief moment of shock, I asked him if he even understood what he had said.
“Of course, I do! She’s a douche bag,” he replied in that all-knowing tween voice.
“But what does that mean?” I probed.
He shrugged, “You know.”
“Yes, but do you?” I pressed.
At this point, I nudged my daughter to clarify things. She explained, “It means someone who’s acting worse than a jerk. And it’s not a very nice term.” Then, without holding back, she elaborated, “It actually refers to putting a hose into your vagina and squirting water to clean it out.”
My grandson’s reaction was priceless—he covered his ears and screamed, “OHMYGOD!” loud enough for the neighbors to hear. After a few giggles, I took it upon myself to explain the concept of the bag. My daughter was shocked to learn that she’d assumed the term had simply evolved from “douche” to “douche bag,” unaware that such bags were once commonplace in homes across America.
Once the shock wore off, it became clear that I needed to educate the younger generation about how language can shift over time. For instance, what about all those young Dicks? Just to clarify, Dicks still exist, but you won’t find many people under 50 introducing themselves with that name. It’s a “lovely day in the neighborhood” when you encounter a rude or abrasive person, but naming your child after a penis is something today’s parents usually avoid—creative celebrities notwithstanding!
Remember when kids learned to read with the tales of Dick and Jane? I have to admit, I felt a bit proud to hang out with Dick back then, but that’s a story for another day.
I advised my grandson to keep such words to himself in public. If he doesn’t like someone, he should simply walk away and find a better playmate. While we can’t eradicate “douche bags” and “dicks” from our vocabulary, we can definitely teach our children to refrain from acting like one.
For more insights on parenting and words that have shifted meaning over time, check out our other posts like this one on intracervical insemination. Also, if you’re exploring home insemination, Cryobaby is a trusted source for your needs, and for additional resources, visit UCSF’s Center.
In summary, understanding the origins of words and phrases can help us navigate conversations and teach our kids to communicate more effectively. Let’s focus on fostering kindness rather than resorting to name-calling.