Forbidden Words: Taboo and the Censoring of Language

Sex and bodily effluvia 163
Table 7.1. Summary findings on revoltingness ratings (from Allan and
Burridge 1991: 74)
shit, vomit RRR 84% > R 61% > RR
urine, semen/sperm RRR 58% > R
menstrual blood RRR 55% > R 36% > RR
(MEN 80% > R, 0% Not-R)
(WOMEN 47% > R, 17% Not-R)
fart, snot RR 70% > R 72% < RRR, 11% < R
pus RR 67% > R
spit RR 56% > R
belched breath R 78% R 51% < RR, 49% RR
skin parings R 64% R
sweat ½R 58% R
All subjects: N=86. The ranking scale is RRR, RR, R, ½R, Not-R, hence R is the median. In the
table > means ‘greater than’, means ‘greater than or equal to’; < means ‘less than’, and
means ‘less than or equal to’.
There is no other human cycle which matches that of a celestial body in this
manner. It links women to the moon and the tides in a way that men simply
cannot measure up to.
The menstruation taboo in our Judeo-Christian tradition is written into the
Bible:
1 The LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying ...19Andifawoman have an issue,
and her issue in flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever
toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. 20 And everything that she lieth upon in
her separation shall be unclean: everything also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
21 And whosoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water,
and be unclean until the even. 22 And whosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon
shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 23
And if it be on her bed, or any thing whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall
be unclean until the even. 24 And if any man lie with her at all, and her flowers be
upon him, he shall be unclean seven days; and all the bed whereon he lieth shall be
unclean. (Leviticus 15:1, 19–24)
Note the euphemisms have an issue and flowers for menstrual fluid (flowers is
discussed shortly). Also noteworthy is the fact that the menstruating woman is