Somebody Wants My Balls!

Technically speaking, I believe it's my ovaries that are the proper object of envy, but no matter. Prof-Like Substance has spoken.

I'm going to try something a little different this week and actually do something organized, rather than just toss out anything that happens to be on my mind. I often get comments, here or IRL, to the effect of "how do you have time to blog?" or "Do you feel like blogging is a waste of time when you have so many other things going on?" Obviously, my answer is no, I don't think it is a waste of time, but over the next few days I would like to articulate that a little more clearly in a series of four posts, entitled:

Work like a butterfly, focus like a goldfish.

Connecting the dots.

Getting pushed.

I wish I had Zuska's balls.

I recommend you keep an eye on PLS's blog this week (and thereafter), if you aren't already doing so!

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Perhaps huevos could be suitably gender-ambiguous?

By D. C. Sessions (not verified) on 24 May 2010 #permalink

IME, huevos is only used to refer to male gonads, though that likely varies. How about 'nads?

Still has the problem of locating the seat of courage in the 'nads, which makes no sense at all.

I just say "courage" outright, or sometimes, "guts". I like that word--it's punchy!

Dude, SKM, do not tell me you haven't had huevos rancheros before. It is one of my favorite meals. I think that may qualify it as a word that can be used for anyone.

I wonder if the ball wanter is that poster who told zuska she wasn't biologically female a few months back. That was pretty frickin lulzy.

Dude, SKM, do not tell me you haven't had huevos rancheros before.

I have indeed. I like them, but in the world of Mexican and Southwestern spicy egg entrees, I prefer chilaquiles overall. I nominate "chilaquiles" as the gender-neutral metaphorical seat of courage!

Unless "chilaquiles" is already in use as sexist slang. Wouldn't surprise me, mind you, but damn they're tasty, easy to make, and a real crowd-pleaser.

Well, I was trying to balance the idiomatic with the biological (and just exactly who produces those lovely eigen, eh?) Doesn't look like a winner.

On the other hand, as long as we're going a little farther into the hispanic cultural end of things, may I propose a better metaphorical mascot for courage (or flat-out attitude)? A little respect for the capsicum tribe. I'd nominate the noble chiltepin for attitude with style, or habaneros for those hung up on size.

By D. C. Sessions (not verified) on 24 May 2010 #permalink

I'm calling mine "scotch bonnets" from now on.

There's many, many words for the fruiting bodies of the male; why choose just one to be ambiguous? I'll say "huevos", or just "eggs" for the surprise factor, sometimes "pearls" (my personal favorite for round white precious things). But usually "nads" fits the bill. Though after reading this thread, I suspect I've added "chilies" to my subconscious vocabulary.

My experience has been that the startled reaction of the testicle-assuming listener has more to do with the entire phrase "She's certainly got the [x] for it", or similar phrase, than whatever word [x] actually happens to be.

Many older spanish-speakers won't say huevos for eggs because it has become so associated with balls, so they say blancitos instead. I think blancitos would make a good gender-neutral term.

By bellacoker (not verified) on 27 May 2010 #permalink