Why do people laugh.....

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Why do people laugh when I use the word erection when I'm talking about a tall building or a fence? I just don't get it, it's only a word.

Because it's almost always associated with a penis. "Tall structure" would be better. Or simply "structure" and then describe it with whatever adjective you want.

Frances

I get that it's associated with penis but if I was to use a load of expletives in a conversation (eg. words like 'f**k' or, I can't think of any more), nobody would bat an eye lid. So I don't see saying something like, "That's an impressive erection" as a problem. Plus I like the way it sounds anyway.

They are immature and/or don't realize that "erection" has more than one meaning.

I don't get why you would even use that word on a building and fence.

Most people won't understand what you are talking about. If you want to use the word, then be prepared to explain it every single time. And be prepared for their laughter before you do.

Sometimes you have to gear your speech toward your audience.

Frances

You're right. I just looked it up and it does also mean tall structures. I had no idea erection was an idiom for pointed up penis. Now I know where that word came from for it.

If that was an Aspie who laughed at that when an NT meant it in a different way, it would be considered ''an Aspie problem'' and the Aspie would get called immature and expected to understand that they're meaning something else and so laughing is appropriate.

But, I suppose it's the same story all the time - if an NT does it, it doesn't matter, they didn't know, give the social experts another chance.

In a psychology class I took a long time ago, the professor said people laugh when they feel uncomfortable/ embarrassed by something. Depending on what that something is depends on whether your outlet is laughter or not. Well...that's according to this professor.

I smiled when I read that. Most people use "erection" when talking about sex-related stuff.

Because it has a sexual meaning. You would get the same response if you used "ejaculation" to refer to a subject's exclamation. So, whilst your usage is technically more than correct, it's best avoided.

In any case, I suspect you're better off with an online dictionary than with our responses.

I have seen it written on signs and on vans before, if truth be told.

How can that not be funny?

Yea. If men weren't embarrassed to walk around with a visible boner, the mention of the word "erection" wouldn't draw giggles. Sexuality is embarrassing (and hence funny) because it's supposed to be a private thing, yet most people are biologically wired to think about it.

It is not an idiom, just another definition. Idioms are phrases, not single words, that don't have a literal meaning.

Last edited by jackbus01 on 18 Nov 2011, 12:25 am, edited 1 time in total.

Hey, good point. Ejaculation is primarily used in reference to the discharge of semen, but it can also be an exclamation. I should you use this alternate definition more often--just for laughs.