Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Boobs

That's right. This blog post is about boobs. If you find that word disturbing on any level, I think it's best you stop reading right now before we seriously offend you.

OK, so now that it's just us pervs, let's get started, shall we?

Yesterday I got a fantastic e-mail from our friend Loretta posing a very simple question: What are 16-year-old boys calling breasts these days?

Well, unfortunately (actually I think maybe it's fortunately) I've never had the opportunity to talk to any actual 16-year-old boys about the female anatomy on a day-to-day basis. However, I watch a LOT of television shows that feature 16-year-old boys, mainly because I'm suffering from an extremely advanced case of arrested development.

So, let's break this down:


Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl (suave, obnoxious, Upper East Sider) would DEFINITELY say breasts. As in "Her breasts are fantastic."

Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights (love of my life, truck driving, football playing, rough around the edges, Texan) would say jugs. As in "Check out the jugs on that stripper."

Finn from Glee (geeky, singing, quasi-dumb jock) is definitely a boob guy. As in "Holy crap, I hope I might get to touch Rachel's boobs."


Puck from Glee (hot, cougar hunting, singing, jock) is probably a random boob euphemism guy. As in "Damn, Rachel's got some nice fun bags."

The moral of the story is that you can tell your reader a lot about your characters based on how they talk about female anatomy and other less controversial topics. So remember, whether they're discussing jugs, breasts or (my personal favorite) fun bags, it's not just about the boobs. When it comes to your characters, you've got to choose your words wisely.

71 comments:

Ian said...

What about cans and gazongas?

Sherrie Petersen said...

My 7yo daughter calls them nibbles. I'm hoping she's found another name by the time she has anything worth nibbling on!

Christine Danek said...

You are right. The way the character expresses the word definately reflects their character. I was so distracted by the pictures:) Very funny!

Christine Danek said...

What about dirty pillows? Austin Powers style.

Stina said...

Bags is new to me. My 10 yo son is just entering that phase of life. Though right now they don't have the same meaning to him they will in 2-3 years.

Tamika: said...

Good point. Revelant words go a long way with the reader. It's all about believability.

Candyland said...

Oh or cannons? I think fun bags is the best. It says right there what you're getting-FUN!

Anonymous said...

I love that this post is much deeper and full of sage advice than it originally appears.

I also love boobs.

Christine Fonseca said...

LOL!! Love this post!

Katie Anderson said...

OMG You guys are great!!!! FABULOUS anatomy lesson.

Just fab.

storyqueen said...

Okay...this is just too funny.

Shelley

Corey Schwartz said...

Oh, so my four-year-old is a Finn in the making. Cool!

confused homemaker said...

Very true & just think of all the other terms out there & the types of characters that might say them. Although now I'm thinking about them right now & think I may need to shower because there are some creeps out there (or in my head--whatever).

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

I always liked: BAZOOMBAs from FRIENDS... has a nice ring to it

;o)
Wonderful post as always!


Visit My Kingdom Antyime

Natalie said...

This is the first blog I read this morning and when I saw the picture of Tim Riggins ... ohmigosh I knew the day would be good :) Also, I used the word "boobs" in a post once and got a bunch of new hits. The search terms used to get to that blog were all very funny. I have a feeling they were all very disappointed ...

Loretta Nyhan said...

If this book is ever published you guys are getting a nod in the acknowledgments: Special Boob Consultants, Lisa and Laura Roecker.

Donna Gambale said...

Love it! So true for any character -- girl or guy -- talking about any potentially scandalous body part. For example, one of my female characters calls her own breasts "the girls" and another thinks about how she can't even say the word "penis" with a straight face outside of science class.

Little Ms J said...

I personally prefer boobs. Growing up in the south my mom called them ninnies and that just totally grossed me out.

Roxy said...

I always like the fresh, bold way you girls approach writing! Another awesome post from Lila. Your reader comments are too funny. I've lived my entire life without hearing some of these terms.

Unknown said...

1) Anyone who says 'fun bags' as a description of my ladies is going to get a fistful of ouch delivered to their face.

2) I laughed so hard I think I busted a lung.

Thank you, L&L, thank you.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I can't believe you made such a great point/lesson out of the word boobs! This is why we all love you two so much. You rock! But...don't forget Boobies! :-)

Anonymous said...

LOL! Gotta go with a classic: The Girls. Then again, I don't hear a lot of guys using that phrase. Looks like you hit the major ones.

Kerri Cuev said...

Lol! Ok the post and comments are hilarious! I needed a laugh today.

I'll add racks to the list of names.

Talli Roland said...

Fun bags! AH!

This post made me snicker out loud - several times. Thanks!

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

what if a guy says "I love pancakes" - what does that say? *sigh*

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Ha! Perhaps a poll is in order. Calling all boys. What would you call boobs guy-to-guy, to your girlfriend, to your mother?

Valerie Geary said...

Ha! What a jug-tacular post!

Kelly Lyman said...

Great post and so true. I, unfortunately, do hang out with 16-year old guys...well, not hang out...I'm one several youth leaders, and although the boys try to change subject when I'm near, I do catch pieces of conversation. I do know that one term they use these days for boobs, is rack. As in, "She had an awesome rack."
Ah, boys will be boys!

Unknown said...

LOL! My 8-yr-old son is definitely a "boobs" guy, though my husband says, "ho-hos."

Dara said...

LOL. This post and all the comments make me laugh :)

Marsha Sigman said...

I am so offended...ok not really.

This is so true about showing a character by their dialogue!

My husband says boobies in a creepy hushed whisper most of the time. He likes to pretend to be a perv.

Lisa Desrochers said...

How could I not check out a post with the title Boobs? You guys crack me up.

Hardygirl said...

Okay, this is too funny. I like to say "juicy cantaloupes" myself when I see a spectacular pair.

sf

Carolyn V. said...

LOL! I just thought they'd call them boobs. I never thought of all the other names. How funny. =)

Tere Kirkland said...

Great examples!

Doesn't matter what they call them, just know that 16 year old boys are constantly thinking about them. ;)

Frankie Diane Mallis said...

Hahaha this is great!

Linda Benson said...

Hahahah. This is a hilarious post, you guys. I just went through the same discussion with my critique group, over what expression a 15-year-old boy (in my manuscript) would use. I wrote breasts, or hint of a curve, they voted for boobs, and we went back and forth until the head librarian threw us out (kidding.) Great Stuff.

~Jamie said...

Taylor....

sigh. so hot.

Linda Benson said...

Oh, and please don't call Finn geeky or semi-dumb. I mean, have you HEARD the guy sing? To die for.

Natalie said...

Oh my gosh. I'm dying here. That was pretty much the funniest, most insightful moment of Lisa and Laura Write. My middle graders don't talk about boobs much, but if the subject ever comes up I'll keep this in mind. :)

Carolyn R. Parsons said...

Great post! I read an excerpt from my novel at my poetry book signing and I had to "clean it up" and say boobs because there were children present. Then I went around explaining to the adult audience later...my character is a rough guy..pretty crass in his speech...guess what he calls them? lol

Breeze

Melissa Hurst said...

Well, I have certainly been educated today:) I'm writing my book from a female perspective so I don't have to worry about this now, but maybe one day...

Bethany Elizabeth said...

Can I just congratulate you on an amazingly amusing way to make this point? :)

Kim said...

Totally awesome post in every way! You're so right on that the word that is chosen is part of the character.

Rebecca Knight said...

AHAHAHAH! It's so true that depending on a boy/man's character, they call "the goods" by different names.

Whereas a jackass would call them "ta-tas," a debonair historical figure would call them "an ample bosom."

Great post, guys!

Abby Annis said...

Hilarious and helpful! You ladies are awesome!

California Keys said...

My 4 year old son drinks soy milk.... One day, when he was 3, we were watching a Food Network special on milk....

He got a disgusted look on his face and said, 'Cow's milk comes from a cow's boobies?'. Later that day, he drew a cow with two massive mammaries....

Sarah Wylie said...

You're hilarious. That is all.

Tana said...

Hmm, I don't think I've ever had my characters discussing boobs but if they did, that's what I'd call 'em.

Unknown said...

Fun bags is one of my personal favorites, though I'd never use it, hearing it always makes me chuckle. That is quite the way to look at it though... it really is all about how you want your character to be portrayed!

Elana Johnson said...

Excellent! And the terminology is so important. Great little advice on characterization.

Elizabeth said...

I love this! You nailed each one.

Jemi Fraser said...

I laughed all the way through this - can't say it's crossed my mine before - but I'll have to think about what my mc would say. Fun topic :)

Anonymous said...

Yuk I hate that word 'tits' haha what about 'bosies' or 'puppies'

Shannon Messenger said...

What about the guys who name them? Those guys are the ones who scare me the most. ;)

Kimberly Franklin said...

Hahahahaha... OMG! This was great!

Rebecca Knight said...

Also, Sweater Puppies.

That is all.

Brigitte said...

I always love watching behind-the-scenes stuff before a movie to get to know staff & crew more before they get into character. I know I'm a huge dork. But still! Thanks to that habit, I can spot a Joss Whedon script from miles away!
Writers give the things you watch personality. It's freaking awesome how writers and film makers work together in such beautiful harmony!
*dramatic tear*
(It's why I'm making friends with you guys early. haha! ;D )

xoxox
looking-glass-fables.blogspot.com

Mariah Irvin said...

When I was younger and over at a friend's house, I said "boobs" for some reason or other, and got reprimanded. In their household, only "bosom" was acceptable. And butt was muffin. I'm not sure how they came up with that one.

K. M. Walton said...

Great post because you showed us your logical thinking (great character development thinking).

That and it was hilarious - as usual.

And another Austin Powers bit of genius..."Machine gun jubblies? How did I miss those?"

Unknown said...

wow. the fact that you understand all these teen characters is interesting to me. or that i actually know each character well, myself. and i don't write YA fiction...

Funny Stuff!
SB


not too serious i hope

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Ok, when I stop laughing I will hopefully come up with something witty to say.

Oh my word. Random. Delicious. Funny as heck.

Boobs and cute boys. Does it get any better?

erica m. chapman said...

LOL! Hilarious - oh man, I don't know what I can add to that - I have a co-worker that calls them racks - yes that's racks plural. She thinks cause there's 2 of them it shouldn't be rack, but racks...

Fun post, thanks ;o)

Lori W. said...

Riggins! Great post. Love that last line about choosing words wisely for our characters. Only you all could work in great advice to a post with "boobs" in the title.

Joanna said...

Oh my gawd, my husband calls them either tatas (no joke--and he's like, the nerdiest guy ever) or...something else I refuse to say in public.

Seriously, book names are weird.

Great post though, haha.

Joanna said...

Hahaha! I meant boob names, not book names. Wow.

Kirsten Hubbard said...

I just saw this post. You guys are amazing.

I have so much trouble with boobs. Not my boobs, but with the word when I'm writing. There's just no good name for them. Maybe we should invent one.

Kelly H-Y said...

Seriously, I don't know how you two keep coming up with this stuff ... hilarious!

JESSJORDAN said...

This may be the BEST post ever. What does that say about me?

And oh my GOD, I forgot how beautiful Taylor Kitsch is. You just gave me the only reason I need to add Friday Night Lights to my Netflix queue. (*wipes drool from cheek*)

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

LOL you hit all of these spot on, especially Chuck Bass!

Matthew MacNish said...

Ah thank god for FB, because this post was before I stepped on the scene and I would have never seen it otherwise.

As far as someone who is definitely not me, but more like a character I might think up someday is concerned it all depends on the quality of the breast.

A saggy old gramma boob is a buckle tucker, and a round, firm, slightly chilly tit is a dent-less knob of heaven ... at least for this particular character, that is.

Oh, and hi buy viagra, you haven't stopped by my blog lately. Was it something I said?

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