[Idiom] Homo Erectus?

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pubctx

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Hi, I know what this term means in Evolution Theory, but I don't understand why many native English speakers (usually kids) chuckle when they hear it in the history class at school! Apparently, it has a sexual meaning or something but I don't know what it is. Could someone clear this up please? Thanks.
 
Yes, many people snigger at anything containing the word "erect" because it makes them think of "erection" - the state of male genitalia when aroused.
 
Yes, many people snigger at anything containing the word "erect" because it makes them think of "erection" - the state of male genitalia when aroused.

Oh, it's now as clear as day. Thank you.
 
NOT A TEACHER


Hello, Pubctx:

In my opinion, those "kids" chuckle because of the word "homo."
 
I think Parser makes a fair point - there are two potentially "amusing" words with sexual connotations. 'Homo' of course is a pejorative for 'homosexual'. The two words could even play off each other - double your pleasure, so to speak.

Having taught children before, I can guarantee you dollars to doughnuts that somewhere, sometime, somebody has made some kind of a gay joke after reading those two words together.
 
In Canadian English we have a similar problem. There is a large do-it-yourself hardware chain whose motto is a beautifully sung jingle, "Homeowners helping homeowners." And every time I hear it, I feel surprised they elected to use it, as it sounds at first something like"homos helping homos" -- for an instant. Then again, our national news anchor, Peter Mansbridge, always introduces his remote reporters with "And with more on that, here's...." Here also, I find "moron" is what comes to mind, and I find the construction unfortunate.

I agree with Parser that it's probably homo first, and erectus second, that makes teens laugh.
 
The kids are laughing at the combination of the two words "Homo" and "erectus" because it suggests a gay man with an erection.

They also laugh at "Uranus" because it sounds like "your anus".
 
That's why most people these days put the emphasis on the first syllable and leave the next two unstressed.

Click here to listen to it.
 
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Yeah, I'm not sure that "you're in us" is going to defray any prepubescent giggles either.
 
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