Funny Period Euphemisms From Around The World

If you think using clever pet names for getting your period is unique to this side of the Atlantic, think again. Turns out, periods have pet names all over the world and back again. In this sassy book Flow: the Cultural Story of Menstruation, by Elissa Stein and Susan Kim, the two blend humor and education in their recount of menstrual history. Listed below are some common euphemisms for periods from around the world as seen in the book…

• The Netherlands: “The tomato soup is overcooked”
• Brazil: “I’m with Chico”
• China: “Little Sister has come”
• many parts of Latin America: “Jenny has a red dress on”
• Australia: “I’ve got the flags out”
• Denmark: “There are Communists in the funhouse”
• Ireland: “I’m wearing a jam rag”
• England: “I’m flying the Japanese flag”
• Japan: “Little Miss Strawberry”
• France: “The English have arrived”
• Germany: “The cranberry woman is coming”
• Puerto Rico: “Did the rooster already sing?”
• South Africa: “Granny’s stuck in traffic”

Euphemism list courtesy of The Gloss. Also, check out this hilarious tampon commercial parody, you’ll never see commercials quite the same way again!