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“Junk” is a commonly used slang term referring to the male genitals. Alternatively, “family jewels” is another slang phrase that refers specifically to the testicles but is also sometimes used to indicate the entire male package. Junk and jewels are virtual opposites yet refer to the same area of male geography. Go figure!
Family jewels — when used as a non-slang term — denotes valuable items of jewelry belonging to a family that are handed down from generation to generation. The slang term “family jewels” follows the same line of reasoning: the magical body parts that confer the capacity for reproduction and the passage of genetic material down from one generation to the next.
What gives? Why should the penis, testicles, and scrotum be referred to by the disparaging term “junk” that means “old or discarded articles that are considered useless or of little value”? Is that an appropriate term? I cringe whenever I hear anyone refer to his manhood by the pejorative term “junk,” since in my humble opinion, I consider “family jewels” to be a much more appropriate term.
I am forever in awe of the brilliant design and engineering of human form and function. The genital region is invaluable human real estate, containing structures that should be admired, revered, respected, and held in the highest of esteem, and never ridiculed, belittled, and vilified.
The penis is an extraordinary multi-functional appendage with an impressive ability to multitask, arguably man’s most precious accessory. It is truly a remarkably organ in terms of its versatility, responsible for an array of vital functions including urinary, sexual, and reproductive. In the words of Eric Gill: “The water tap that could turn into a pillar of fire.”
There are about 14,000 urologists in the United States available to manage the urinary, sexual, and reproductive problems of the 333,000,000 USA population. Much of urological practice deals with when men have trouble urinating, have issues obtaining or maintaining an erection, or cannot impregnate their partners. Jewels, not junk!
On a final but related note, “dick,” another common slang term for a penis, is often used in a derogatory and insulting context: “What a dick!” Does this really make any sense?
Please see a previous blog entry: The Curious Use of Genital and Anal Slang
Andrew Siegel MD
