Shhh. . . . that word is anatomically correct!

As a former anatomy instructor, I find anatomically correct terms much less objectionable than the equivalent colloquialisms

You're saying you prefer Latinate euphemisms to the perfectly servicable English terms of Anglo-Saxon origin?
Why?

It's simple. Many of those Anglo-Saxon terms, although quite interesting etymologically, have current social connotations that are derogatory (such as the four letter word for female genitalia starting with c, for example). I appreciate the fact that when teaching a class, I have access to a lexicon of anatomical terms which are rarely used as slang, and thus can be used clinically and calmly and without more than the minimum of giggling from my students. :)

I don't find anything offensive about the anatomy of the human body, only the associations society has given to these words - which is why I think it's funny/strange to use "anatomically correct" in place of "obscene". Anatomy is not obscene. It's really quite beautiful.

Of course, Latinate terminology isn't privileged; if it starts being used as slang to offend and degrade certain people or groups, and written on fences to shock people, then it will be every bit as tricky to use clinically as the Anglo-Saxon terminology.

Yes, but anatomically correct?

Whether Latinate or Anglo Saxon, usage of an anatomic term is by definition only correct if it accurately refers to the part named.

Conversely, if a term is used obscenely (which usage-- again by definition-- is only obscene if it refers to something other than the appropriate a bit of anatomy), it cannot possible be anatomically correct. QED.

Thank you. I feel much better now.

Perhaps the good citizen of Belmont should have said "anatomically explicit..."

As I understand it, the "four letter word for female genitalia starting with c" encompasses the whole territory from cervix to pubic hair, a rather wholistic and functionally useful concept. (That word also shares roots with "queen", as befits the exaltation due to its referent.)

There are clinical terms for each of the components, but none that I know of for the tout ensemble.

The same might be said of the male equipment, collectively dubbed "tackle", but somehow that's just not as interesting...

(To anticipate potential replies: "genitalia", being unisex, is too ambiguous for many purposes.)

Well, since we don't know what word the good citizen found on the fence, it's all academic. But I assume it was something similar to the c-word, and that the description "anatomically correct" was what either citizen or police found the best euphemism for a word that could not be printed. Whether or not the hypothetical term really was anatomically correct is impossible to say. The reason I posted this is that, as maxrad points out, "anatomically correct" is not a euphemism for obscene. So I thought it was quite funny.

Can a word like the c-word be used to describe anatomy? Of course, but I would not give a student points on the anatomy exam (or on a fence) for the c-word, primarily because A) I wouldn't tolerate usage of that word in my classes, but also B) because in current usage, it isn't intended to precisely describe anatomy so much as degrade and insult. Finally C) it is, as Pierce points out, a very general term. Not only is it broad, individuals and dictionaries do not consistently define it - that is, there is no medical consensus on exactly which structures it includes in current usage. Anatomically and medically, it's about as informative as "wrist" or "neck" - it gives you a general idea but not a specific one. Go ahead and Google several dictionary definitions, and you'll see what I mean. . . but maybe don't do that if you're at work! :)

I reckon they wrote 'penis'. Some people might find that sprayed on their wall offensive and kids find it funny. Another possibility could be 'anus' which would be offensive because the graffitist has in effect labelled the owner of the house one!