Condoms, jimmies, rubbers…you would possibly assume you have heard all of them. Condoms are one of many world’s commonest prophylactics. Listed here are 5 issues that you just may not in any other case find out about condoms and their names.

1. English Nicknames

One of the identified nicknames for condom is rubber. Nonetheless, should you go to a comfort retailer in Australia or New Zealand and ask for a rubber, you’ll be handed an eraser. This might make for awkward moments for Kiwis or Aussies touring overseas who simply need to erase a mistake: “May I’ve a rubber, mate?”

Different English nicknames embody jimmy hat, raincoat, or hazmat go well with: a go well with you don for coping with hazardous supplies. The time period “love glove” led to the well-known secure intercourse slogan “No Glove, No Love.”

2. Worldwide Nicknames

English is not the one language that had odd nicknames for condoms. In Denmark, they’re known as gummimand, which accurately means “rubberman.” In Germany, they’re known as lummeltute, or “naughty bags.” Hungarian terminology emphasizes the protecting side by calling a condom an ovsver, or a “security instrument.” Hong Kong equally demonstrates the protecting worth by calling a condom a pei dang vi, or a “bulletproof vest.” In Portugal they name condoms “Venus’ shirts” or camisa de Venus: bear in mind, Venus is the goddess of affection in any case, so it is sensible!

Different international locations may be extra literal with their meanings: in Nigeria, a condom is an okpuamu, or a “penis hat.” In Indonesia, as a substitute of a hat, it is a “penis gourd” or a koteca.

In English a condom is usually known as a raincoat: in Greek it’s typically known as a kapota, or an overcoat. In Spain, a condom is known as a globo, or balloon. Bear in mind, though you should utilize a condom for a balloon, you may’t use a balloon for a condom!

3. Nationwide Tensions

Some nicknames of the condoms exhibit worldwide tensions. In Germany, a slang time period for a condom is a “Pariser,” or a Parisian. In English, condoms are typically known as French Letters. Why is France related to condoms? This could be as a result of different international locations related all that was decadent with France.

As a aspect notice, a French Letter will shield you in opposition to the French Illness; or, to place it extra plainly, a condom will assist shield you in opposition to syphilis. Syphilis was known as the French Illness due to the outbreak within the French Military within the sixteenth century; it was the Italians that coined that phrase (morbus gallicus 러브젤).

The French, nonetheless, might need gotten their linguistic come-uppance with their terminology. The French known as syphilis “la maladie anglaise,” or the English Illness. They even known as it the Italian illness or the Neapolitan illness too. Different international locations had been equally derisive, with the Arabs calling syphilis the English illness and the Russians calling it the Polish illness.

Though most nationally-derogatory phrases for syphilis are actually prior to now, the French nonetheless name condoms “la capote anglaise,” or the English raincoat.

4. Condom, France

Sure, there’s a city in France known as Condom. So far as linguists know, it has nothing do with the etymology of the phrase condom. There’s a folktale that the English acquired their phrase condom from this location. English vacationers got here and noticed French farmers sewing prophylactics from sheep guts. Whether or not or not that is true, you may nonetheless get sheepskin condoms (made out of sheep intestines). They’re softer than latex or polyurethane condoms and improve sensation. Nonetheless, sheepskin condoms don’t shield in opposition to sexually transmitted ailments, they merely work to stop being pregnant.

5. The Actual Origins of the Phrase Condom

Sadly, we do not know the true origins of the phrase “Condom.” Was it named after a Dr. Condom, or a Dr. Quondam, as some tales inform? Is it named after a British military officer, Cundum? Or is it named after the Italian courtroom adviser, Gondi? (A “gondon” or “goldoni” is one other phrase for condom in Italy).

Regardless of the origins of our phrase condom, and no matter you select to name it, put on a condom. Condoms forestall undesirable pregnancies and stop the unfold of sexually transmitted ailments.