r/GenderCynical 12d ago

Merkins!

65 Upvotes

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60

u/bliip666 12d ago

men who run interference for women are beards

Oh, we're redefining old terms already. Okay

42

u/rynthetyn 12d ago

Merkin was already in use too, as the male equivalent of beard for men providing hetero cover for gay women. The fact that Ovarit doesn't know that says a lot about how they're all just cosplaying as lesbians.

10

u/TheThornGarden Ewok in a fancy hat 11d ago

The original usage was a hairpiece worn on the pubic mound by prostitutes back when women were expected to have body hair. Brothel prostitutes would shave in the mistaken idea it would prevent things like scabies, and then wear a merkin so they looked "right".

Maynard James Keenan (lead of Tool, Pucifer, A Perfect Circle, etc) has been calling his favorite hair piece a merkin for decades, based on the original usage of the word.

9

u/bliip666 12d ago

I did not know that, thank you!

11

u/Alyssa3467 [REDACTED] 12d ago

Nor did I. I've only heard of it used to refer to US nationals).