I can't even believe I have to ask this question - slang for scrotum

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Okay, so, dammit.

My proofreader at the publisher sent some notes and had a question about the slang word for scrotum. Specifically, a character says another character should "straighten his sack and act like a grownup".

The proofreader thinks it should be 'sac'. Urban dictionary supports both spellings and now I have the giggles.

Consensus?
 

buz

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In terms of "how most people might think of the word and use it colloquially," I vote sack. Like the thing Santa puts presents in.

You could also use junk, scrotes, gunnysack, or dickboobs.
 
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Chris P

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Sack your proofreader. (eeeewww!)

As a biologist, "sac" to me would be more technically correct, meaning a fleshy membrane enclosing something such as the alveolar sacs in the lungs or, well, a scrotum. "Sack" on the other hand would be for a grocery bag, like "paper sack" and not "paper sac."

However, it would strike me as very odd to see "sac" used in your example. I think most conversational uses would favor "sack."

EDIT: Miranda brings up a good point: Would UK spelling favor "sac"?
 
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JustcallmeEd

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It's 'sack'. It's not like 'cum', where the meanings are different ('cum' is one thing; 'come' is another). A sack is a sack is a sack. It is a ball sack. Sac is an abbreviation for the capitol of California.
 

mirandashell

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Yeah, I think it would. If I read 'straighten his sack' I'd be thinking 'sack of what?'
 

firedrake

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I always thought it was sac.
 

Kylabelle

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I think dickboobs is a clear winner here.
 

Chris P

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Change it to "sacque" and see what he says.
 

William Haskins

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i would go for assonance and change the whole thing to "adjust your nuts."

but, biology be damned, "sack" is the better usage for the euphemism, in my opinion.
 

buz

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it took balls to post it.

I had to shake my boobs around and wait for the little blue triangles to come up in the viewing-windows to tell me what to say.
 

ElaineA

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I'm amazed by the anti-sac sentiment. I always thought it was only sac, never sack. Of course, I've been known to use uterus in a steamy scene so...:Shrug:

Anyway, depending on the ages of your coversants, maybe you could call it nutsack and be done with it.

*has accidentally eavesdropped on too many teenage boy conversations during soccer season*


ETA: oh wow, I missed a few posts. I bow to the Euphemistress. Dickboobs, ftw
 
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cornflake

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Nut sac = what you mean.

Nut sack = what a fancy squirrel carries.
 

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I'm going to have Rocky Mountain oysters for dinner just to spite everyone who is mocking my great travail.
 

Tazlima

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Marble pouch? ...I'd definitely use "marble pouch."

Barring that, put me down as another vote for "sac."
 
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