Is That What They're Calling It Now?: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}{{cleanup|Far too many of the examples below are ''not'' examples of the trope, but of related tropes like [[Double Entendre]]. If it's not a snarky question or comment implying something innocent is actually smutty, it doesn't belong on this page.}}
{{trope}}
[[File:avenginghuh_9843avenginghuh 9843.jpg|link=Marvel Adventures|frame|Falling in love with the hired help does not meet with your dad's approval, Jan.]]
 
Snarky question used to imply that whatever the previous speaker was describing, the real subject matter at hand is sex:
 
{{quote| '''Sweet Young Thing:''' ...And I've been lobbying heavily among the trustees to see that this new rule is passed!<br />
'''Evil Mrs. Calhoun:''' "Lobbying heavily"? Is that what they're calling it now? }}
 
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This can extend to non-sexual subjects, if the subject of the remarker's disapproval is clear ([[Kangaroo Court|Kangaroo courts]], for example -- "We will, of course, be giving you a fair trial." "Oh, is that what you call it?").
 
See also [[Double Entendre]] and [[Have a Gay Old Time]]. Contrast [[Accidental Innuendo]].
 
{{examples}}
== [[Comic Books]] ==
 
* In ''[[Spider-ManMarvel (Comic Book)2099|Spider-Man 2099]] 2099'', Miguel O'Hara, the future version of Spider-Man, is caught by his girlfriend with another woman. He explains "We just... clicked." to which she replies "You ''clicked''? Is that what it's called now?" After further argument, her parting shot is "Click you!"
== Comic Books ==
* [[Superman|Mr. Mxyzptlk]], discussing [[Batman (Comic Book)|Batman]] and Robin with Bat-Mite: "Youthful ward? Is that what they're calling it these days?"
 
* In ''[[Spider-Man (Comic Book)|Spider-Man]] 2099'', Miguel O'Hara, the future version of Spider-Man, is caught by his girlfriend with another woman. He explains "We just... clicked." to which she replies "You ''clicked''? Is that what it's called now?" After further argument, her parting shot is "Click you!"
* Mr Mxyzptlk, discussing [[Batman (Comic Book)|Batman]] and Robin with Bat-Mite: "Youthful ward? Is that what they're calling it these days?"
* As the pic suggests, this line comes into play in ''[[Marvel Adventures]]: Avengers'', where Janet has a crush on one of her dad's employees.
* In ''[[Incredible Hercules]]'', Herc uses this line when Namora puts him in an "Atlantean crab hold" during a sparring match. Namora shoots back an [[Ironic Echo]] at the end of the same arc, when Hercules suggests using an Olympian eagle strike in combat.
* [[Getting Crap Past the Radar|Not so subtly]] used in a spinoff strip to ''[[Batman: theThe Animated Series]]''. When Harley refers to her and Ivy playing, Batgirl initially, and [[Word of Gay|correctly]], thinks they're more than friends. [[Hilarity Ensues]].
* In Comicbook/''[[Incredible Hulk]]s'' #627, when a mythology expert is briefing NATO on the [[Power Level]] of the recently stolen [[All Myths Are True|Pandora's Box]], her usage of "Hercs" as a unit of measurement for the energy radiated by mythological objects and entities is inquired about, leading to this exchange:
{{quote| '''Dr. Sofia di Cosimo''': The god [[Really Gets Around|Hercules]] was the first mythological figure I was able to access and... ah... test.<br />
'''General Gladwell''': So that's what you kids are calling it these days. }}
*:* As she mentions later to Banner, she really did date Hercules.
 
== Fanfiction[[Fan Works]] ==
* In ''[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5047623/4/Foundations Foundations]'' [[Harry Potter (Literaturenovel)|Harry Potter's]] colleagues demand that he tells them how his lunch with Draco and Narcissa Malfoy went. When Harry says "Well... Draco's peacock bit me", [[Original Character|Cecile]] wants to know if that's a [[Unusual Euphemism|euphemism]]. It's not.
* ''[http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/3274.html?thread=3701194#t3701194 Are You There God? It's me, Canada]'' has [[Axis Powers Hetalia (Manga)|Arthur]] asking Francis for "help levelling the dresser in the bedroom".
* In ''[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3362802/1/One_Thing_Leads_to_Another One Thing Leads to Another]'', BB says : "Sure you 'talked'. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" after Robin tells him he and Starfire "had a long talk last night" to resolve an argument that was really hurting the entire team. Of course, Beast Boy, due to his animal senses, [[Did You Just Have Sex?|is fully aware]] what this "talk" involved.
* A common argument for [[Ship-to-Ship Combat|Harmony shippers]] amongst the ''[[Harry Potter (Literaturenovel)|Harry Potter]]'' fandom was that near the end of the third book, Harry and Hermione ride a Hippogriff together, supposedly symbolising [[One True Pairing|true love]]. "Riding the Hippogriff together" later became a popular euphemism and [[Memetic Mutation|meme]].
 
== [[Film]] ==
* In ''[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5047623/4/Foundations Foundations]'' [[Harry Potter (Literature)|Harry's]] colleagues demand that he tells them how his lunch with Draco and Narcissa Malfoy went. When Harry says "Well... Draco's peacock bit me", [[Original Character|Cecile]] wants to know if that's a [[Unusual Euphemism|euphemism]]. It's not.
* In body-swap comedy ''[[ItsIt's a Boy Girl Thing]]'' Woody (Nell's personality in Woody's body, actually) comes downstairs after studying with Nell (Woody in disguise). His father asks him how things with Nell have been going to which he replies "we were studying." The father then merrily applies the trope: "so that's what you call it these days."
* [http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/3274.html?thread=3701194#t3701194 Are You There God? It's me, Canada] has [[Axis Powers Hetalia (Manga)|Arthur]] asking Francis for "help levelling the dresser in the bedroom".
* ''[[Last Man Standing (Filmfilm)|Last Man Standing]]'' (1996).
* In [http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3362802/1/One_Thing_Leads_to_Another One Thing Leads to Another], BB says : "Sure you 'talked'. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" after Robin tells him he and Starfire "had a long talk last night" to resolve an argument that was really hurting the entire team. Of course, Beast Boy, due to his animal senses, [[Did You Just Have Sex?|is fully aware]] what this "talk" involved.
{{quote| '''[[Narrator|John Smith]]''': "Strazzi said he had brought the girl along to keep up his morale. That's the first time I had ever heard it called that."}}
 
* ''[[The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down A Mountain (Film)|The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down A Mountain]]'': Morgan the Goat claims Betty is "advising me on the refurbishment of my establishment". His girlfriend/mistress replies "''Refurbishing your establishment?'' I've never heard it called ''that'' before."
 
== Film ==
 
* In body-swap comedy ''[[Its a Boy Girl Thing]]'' Woody (Nell's personality in Woody's body, actually) comes downstairs after studying with Nell (Woody in disguise). His father asks him how things with Nell have been going to which he replies "we were studying." The father then merrily applies the trope: "so that's what you call it these days."
* ''[[Last Man Standing (Film)|Last Man Standing]]'' (1996).
{{quote| '''[[Narrator|John Smith]]''': "Strazzi said he had brought the girl along to keep up his morale. That's the first time I had ever heard it called that."}}
* ''[[The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down A Mountain (Film)|The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down A Mountain]]'': Morgan the Goat claims Betty is "advising me on the refurbishment of my establishment". His girlfriend/mistress replies "''Refurbishing your establishment?'' I've never heard it called ''that'' before."
* Nick from ''[[Push]]'' does a non-sexual version of this when Cassie uses the term "second-generation mover" to describe Nick. He quips "Is that what they're calling it these days?" This is more because he's a smartass than anything else.
* In the film made of the [[Stephen King]] short story ''Umney's Last Case'', a 1930's private eye swaps places with the modern day author who created him. He opens the door to find a girl with an uncanny resemblance to his [[Sassy Secretary]] from the past, dressed in a halter top and shorts, saying she's here to clean his pool. Naturally this leads to a "Is that what they're calling it now?" line.
* In ''[[Moulin Rouge]]'', Ewan Mc GregorMcGregor is trying to get Satine to listen to his poetry. She think he's there for sex and being shy about it (to be fair, she ''is'' a prostitute).
{{quote| '''Satine:''' Oh, ''poetry.'' I ''love'' a little poetry after supper.}}
* Subverted in ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit?]]'' with the infamous "Patty Cake". While we are lead to believe that "Patty Cake" is referenceingreferencing a slightly less innocent act, it turns out that they really are just playing patty cake.
** It's actually double subverted: [[G-Rated Sex|a patty cake game ''is'' the toon equivalent of sex]].
* ''[[Stand Byby Me]]'':
{{quote| '''Teddy:''' Look, you guys can go around if you want to; I'm crossing here. And while you guys are dragging your candy asses half way across the state and back, I'll be waiting for you on the other side, relaxing with my thoughts.<br />
'''Gordie:''' Do you use your left hand or your right hand for that? }}
 
== [[Literature]] ==
* Perhaps the [[Ur Example]] of this trope comes from [[Giovanni Boccaccio (Creator)|Boccaccio]]'s ''[[DecameronThe (Literature)Decameron|Decameron]]'' ([https://web.archive.org/web/20141030101448/http://dante.ilt.columbia.edu/books/decamer/eng/Day_03day_03/novella_03_10.html Day 3, Story 10])--one of the most outrageously dirty things ever put in print. So much so that it wasn't even translated into English until the late 19th century--Edwardcentury—Edward Gibbon refused to translate it in his version, saying it was too 'smutty'.
 
* Perhaps the [[Ur Example]] of this trope comes from [[Boccaccio (Creator)|Boccaccio]]'s ''[[Decameron (Literature)|Decameron]]'' ([http://dante.ilt.columbia.edu/books/decamer/eng/Day_03/novella_03_10.html Day 3, Story 10])--one of the most outrageously dirty things ever put in print. So much so that it wasn't even translated into English until the late 19th century--Edward Gibbon refused to translate it in his version, saying it was too 'smutty'.
** The actual expression, for those who won't click the link, is "putting the Devil in Hell."
* Used in the last book in the ''[[Midnighters]]'' series by the resident [[Smart Guy]]
 
== [[Live -Action TV]] ==
* From ''[[Burn Notice (TV)|Burn Notice]]'', the hero's best friend is commenting on the wisdom of the hero's choosing his (admittedly very well-trained and well-armed) ex-girlfriend for backup.
 
{{quote|'''Sam:''' You sure this is a good idea, you hookin' up with her again?
* From ''[[Burn Notice (TV)|Burn Notice]]'', the hero's best friend is commenting on the wisdom of the hero's choosing his (admittedly very well-trained and well-armed) ex-girlfriend for backup.
{{quote| '''SamMike:''' YouI'm sure''not'' thishooking isup awith goodher. idea,That's younot hookinwhat's uphappening. withI need her again?<brfor tactical />support.
'''MikeSam:''' I'm*chuckling* ''not''Is hookingthat upwhat with her. Thatthey's not what's happening.re Icalling needit herthese fordays? tacticalTactical support.<br? />}}
* The end of ''[[Lost (TV)|Lost]]'' season 2, with the whole "got caught in a net" thing: following weeks of [[UST]] between them, Jack and Kate go out on a mission and spend a night in a jungle, being caught in a net among other things. When Sawyer asks what they were doing out there, all he gets is "got caught in a net" reply and mistakes it for sex euphemism. For the several following episodes he sarcastically refers to sex as "caught in the net", until the "A-Team" goes on another mission, where he sees another net trap in a jungle and realizes there was no double meaning after all.
'''Sam:''' * chuckling* Is that what they're calling it these days? Tactical support? }}
* In the ''[[Torchwood (TV)|Torchwood]]'' episode "From Out Of The Rain",:
* The end of ''[[Lost (TV)|Lost]]'' season 2, with the whole "got caught in a net" thing: following weeks of [[UST]] between them, Jack and Kate go out on a mission and spend a night in a jungle, being caught in a net among other things. When Sawyer asks what they were doing out there, all he gets is "got caught in a net" reply and mistakes it for sex euphemism. For the several following episodes he sarcastically refers to sex as "caught in the net", until the "A-Team" goes on another mission, where he sees another net trap in a jungle and realizes there was no double meaning after all.
{{quote| '''Jack''':I need [Ianto's] local expertise.<br />
* In the ''[[Torchwood (TV)|Torchwood]]'' episode "From Out Of The Rain",:
{{quote| '''Jack''':I need [Ianto's] local expertise.<br />
'''Gwen''': Oh, is that what you're calling it now? }}
* And while we're talking about Captain Jack, there's a running gag regarding the use of the word "dancing" in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' ep, "The Doctor Dances".
{{quote| '''Doctor:''' Relax. He's a fifty-first century guy. He's just a bit more flexible when it comes to 'dancing'.<br />
'''Rose:''' How flexible?<br />
'''Doctor:''' Well, by his time, you lot are spread out across half the galaxy.<br />
'''Rose:''' Meaning?<br />
'''Doctor:''' [[Boldly Coming|So many species, so little time.]]<br />
'''Rose:''' What, that's what we do when we get out there? That's our mission? We seek new life and.. and...<br />
'''Doctor:''' [nodding] Dance. }}
* ''[[Law and Order Special Victims Unit (TV)|Law and& Order: Special Victims Unit]]'': Used by Olivia Benson to [[Perp Sweating|sweat a perp]].
{{quote| '''Olivia''': Exactly how close were you two?<br />
'''Lauren Cooper''': He was like a ''father'' to me!<br />
'''Olivia''': Oh, is that what they're calling it now? }}
*:* To which [[Catherine Tate|Lauren Cooper]] replied, "Are you disrespecting my family?"
* An episode of ''[[Black AdderBlackadder]]'' had the following:
{{quote| '''Percy''': I touched her once.<br />
'''Blackadder''': You touched her what?<br />
'''Percy''': Her, once, in the corridor.<br />
'''Blackadder''': I've never heard it called ''that'' before. }}
* ''[[30 Rock (TV)|Thirty Rock]]'':
{{quote| '''Jack''': When I was your age, I was putting myself through college in Boston, paddling swan boats for the tourists.<br />
'''Kenneth''': Is that a euphemism for some kind of sex worker? }}
* ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'', when George Michael had been hiding his grandfather in the attic, but Michael suspected he was hiding a girlfriend:
{{quote| '''George Michael''' I have Pop-Pop in the attic.<br />
'''Michael''' Just the fact that you call it that is proof that you're not ready. }}
*:* Later on [[Strange Minds Think Alike|Ann refers to sex as Pop-Pop, completely independently]].
*:* [[Running Gag|And so does Rita.]]
*:* [[Subverted Trope|And so does George Michael himself]], following Michael's usage to describe George Sr. in the same sense George Michael had originally intended, subverting the running gag and bringing it full circle.
* In an episode of ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel -Air]]'', Will and Carlton went to a clinic to pick up some reference material for Ashley, who was [[She Is's All Grown Up|slamming headfirst into puberty]] at the time. As the doctor goes to help them, Will and Carlton try to "cover" by loudly announcing that they were looking for material for a book report and checking the building for asbestos, respectively. The doctor later turns to Carlton and says: "Asbestos? Last time I heard, it was called Knockin' Boots!"
*:* Not to mention Will's assurance to Carlton that he "won't always be a...German."
* ''[[Firefly (TV)|Firefly]]'' had one of these in the first episode:
{{quote| '''[[The Medic|Simon]]''': I need to check her vitals!<br />
'''Mal''': Oh, is that what you call it? }}
*:* Admittedly, Simon's sister was naked at the time. Mal can be forgiven for assuming the worst.
* In the ''[[Bones (TV)|Bones]]'' funeral episode:
{{quote| ''Widow'': And exactly how many times a week did you ''respect'' him?}}
* When Richie claims in ''[[Bottom]]'' that 'my grandfather was a trawlerman you know?' Eddie's reply is 'Oh so that's what they called [[Have a Gay Old Time|them]] in those days was it?'.
* A kind of... double inversion (as he's both younger than her, and the one trying to be euphemistic) on ''[[Friends (TV)|Friends]]'':
{{quote| '''Young Ethan:''' I should probably tell you, I'm not a... uh, that is to say I don't... I've never...<br />
'''Monica:''' Are you a virgin?<br />
'''Young Ethan:''' Well, if that's what you kids are calling it these days, then yes I am! }}
*:* In the episode "The One with All the Resolutions", when Monica and Chandler have a secret relationship:
{{quote| '''Monica:''' I'll just tell Rachel I'm gonna be doing laundry for a couple of hours.<br />
'''Chandler:''' Laundry. Huh. Is that my new nickname? }}
* A non-sexual example from ''[[Angel (TV)|Angel]]'':
{{quote| '''Angel:''' I'm not here to sing.<br />
'''Lorne:''' [[Hollywood Tone Deaf|Oh, is that what we're calling it now?]] }}
* One memorable non-sexual example from ''[[CSI (TV)|CSI]]'' is an exchange between Sara and Marjorie Wescott, a defense lawyer, after Sara is asked about a previous case where she had been seen touching him in a 'romantic gesture':
{{quote| '''Sara:''' I brushed chalk from his face.<br />
'''Marjorie:''' Oh, is that what they're calling it now? }}
*:* Let it be known that, in the aformentionedaforementioned episode, there was no chalk on his face. Really.
* Excretion instead of sex: on ''[[NCIS (TV)|NCIS]]'', Gibbs encouraged Kate to "stay hydrated", specifically to use her as a distraction when she went to the head.
{{quote| '''Gibbs:''' Go, unhydrate.<br />
'''Kate:''' Never heard it called that. }}
*:* Inverted in another episode, when [[Blunt Metaphors Trauma|Ziva]] doesn't understand what a suspect means when he says someone 'couldn't keep it in his pants.' [[Handsome Lech|Tony's]] explanation involves a [[Bow Chicka Wow Wow|tune]] and some suggestive gesturing. Ziva comes to the conclusion that they're talking about dancing.
* Interesting example in the ''[[Smallville (TV)|Smallville]]'' Season 4 episode "Spell," when Jonathan finds a stray bra under the hay in the loft, and Clark blurts out that "it was magic," followed by a sarcastic "I'm sure it was" from Martha. While Lana, Chloe and Lois (under the control of three ancient French witches...and yes, [[It Makes Sense in Context|it makes slightly more sense in context]]) did use sorcery to brainwash the guests at Chloe's birthday party, it ''was'' an underwear party, and there was at least one other couple Clark bumped into the next morning who had to bolt with clothes in hand. So the example is both played straight (it really was magic) and subverted (but there was probably lots of sex too, just not directly involving Clark).
* In ''[[The Young Ones]]'', Vivian lets out a highly articulate outburst with his raging hatred for ''[[The Good Life]]''. Neil's father stands up for it, specifically star Felicity Kendall, adding "...and I want to protect her!" Vivian snorts "Well, it's the first time I've ever heard it called THAT!"
* Not quite exact to the trope definition, but series 2 of ''[[Robin Hood (TV series)|Robin Hood]]'' does include a conversation among the outlaws about euphemisms for couples hooking up.
{{quote| '''Robin:''' Where's Will and Djaq?<br />
'''Much:''' They said they were going to get some honey.<br />
'''John:''' They'll be back soon.<br />
'''Much:''' If that's what they've gone for. But why does it need two of them, hm? Honey is one of those things. }}
* Inversion from ''[[Series/The Kids Inin The Hall|The Kids In Thethe Hall]]''
{{quote| '''Woman:''' I can't believe I fell for that line.<br />
'''Darril:''' What line?<br />
'''Woman:''' You know! "Would you like to look at my etchings?"<br />
'''Darril:''' (''Gestures towards wall of etchings'') So you don't want to see them? }}
* ''[[Myth Busters (TV)|Myth BustersMythBusters]]'': Used jokingly by Adam in the very first (non-pilot) episode, while making a bullet out of flash-frozen hamburger.
{{quote| '''Jamie''': "What did you do today, honey?"<br />
'''Adam''': I made a meat bullet. "Is ''that'' what the kids are calling it these days?" }}
* Kind of inverted in ''[[Scrubs (TV)|Scrubs]]'':
{{quote| '''Dr. Kelso:''' Last week I was in the mall hanging out at Brookstones when some kid asked me if I was lost.<br />
'''J.D.:''' Brookstone. Looking for gadgets, sir?<br />
'''Dr. Kelso:''' If that's what you call trolling for mall ass, sure. }}
*:* And played straight in this exchange:
{{quote| '''Paul:''' ...and, I know you wanted me to come in to... you know...<br />
'''Elliot:''' Oh, no no no! I invited you in to see my... fish tank.<br />
'''The Todd:''' Is that what you ladies are calling it nowadays?<br />
'''Paul:''' Careful, Todd. }}
* In the ''[[MST3KMystery Science Theater 3000]]'' [[Spin-Off]], ''[[Cinematic Titanic (Web Video)|Cinematic Titanic]]'', in ''Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks'':
{{quote| '''Some Guy''': Alright, let's take her in for an Autopsy.<br />
'''Joel''': Oh, is that what they're calling it now.. }}
* ''[[Leverage (TV)|Leverage]]'', "The Double Blind Job":
{{quote| '''Hardison:''' Li'l Jennifer Pearson's wearing you out, ain't she?<br />
'''Elliot:''' Dude, we walked the Freedom Trail twice.<br />
'''Hardison:''' Nice!<br />
'''Elliot:''' No, man, the actual Freedom Trail. We took paddle boats to the public gardens, shopped on Newbury Street, and went to something called the Boston Duck Tour. }}
* In ''[[The George Lopez Show]]'', Carmen tells George that she did "half pipes" with her boyfriend. George assumes she is talking about drugs. She was talking about skateboarding.
* On one episode of ''[[The Love Boat]]'', Gopher and a woman are in a cabin, chasing after a spider and trying to squash it with their shoes. When Doc opens the door to see what all the ruckus is about, Gopher innocently comments, "We're killing spiders." As Doc leaves, he mutters, "I've heard it called a lot of things, but never ''that.''"
* ''[[Top Gear]]'' had this [[Crowning Moment of Funny|gem.]]
{{quote| '''Jeremy''': Guys, problem! I've shoved my anarchy flag through my water lilo!<br />
'''Hammond''': Nobody's ever said ''that'' before! }}
* The line is used in ''[[Family Matters (TV)|Family Matters]]'' when Karl's wife and sister-in-law catch him with a woman at a [[Love Hotel]], and he claims they're working. He's telling the truth: the woman is a fellow police officer, and they're meeting some crooks at that hotel room as part of a sting operation.
* A variant is used in an episode of ''[[Eureka]]'': Trevor tells Jack that he just went out on a date with [[UST|Allison]]. Jack tells Trevor that he's merely "a distraction".. Trevor asks if that's what the kids are calling boyfriends these days.
* ''[[The Listener (TV)|The Listener]]'' (right after Toby has been teasing Oz about how all he thinks about is his new girlfriend):
{{quote| '''Oz:''' Look, if I do Ryder a favor or two, he could help me switch some shifts and I can sync up with Sandy's schedule.<br />
'''Toby:''' Is that what it's called nowadays? }}
* On ''[[Love Connection]]'' Brad Kamanski and Beate Gold describe their spending the night on Brad's father's boat:
{{quote| '''Chuck Woolery''' Where'd you sleep the second night?<br />
'''Brad''' On the boat.<br />
'''Chuck''' Oh? Get much sleep the second night?<br />
'''Beate''' Ahem, no.<br />
'''Brad''' No, not really.<br />
'''Chuck''' Those waves going, keeping you up all night?<br />
'''Beate''' It was nice.<br />
'''Chuck''' Birds going over you?<br />
'''Beate''' Oh yeah! Seagulls. }}
* On ''[[The Borgias]]'', [[Magnificent Bastard|Rodrigo]] gives his mistress Giulia a lesson in politics by comparing her calf to Naples, her knee to Rome, and her, er, [[Country Matters|"source of disquiet"]] as France. The scene ends with his mouth working its way up and his comment that he "intends to invade France". [[Perverse Sexual Lust|Yowza]].
* On ''[[Frasier (TV)|Frasier]]'', when Martin introduces his physical therapist Daphne to his sister-in-law Zora, this is her exact reaction.
* ''[[Castle (TV)|Castle]]'' had one of these when Beckett and Castle had hickey-like marks left on their necks by injectors. The following exchange occured:
{{quote| '''Esposito''' Come on, what were you REALLY doing?<br />
'''Beckett''' It's not a hickey, Esposito.<br />
'''Castle''' [[UST|I wish it was.]] It was left by the injectors.<br />
'''Esposito''' Injectors? Is that what they're calling it now?<br />
'''Ryan''' Hey guys. Are those hickeys?<br />
'''Esposito''' Yes.<br />
'''Beckett''' No.<br />
'''Castle''' I wish.<br />
[[Beat]]<br />
'''Ryan''' Okay then. }}
* On ''[[Hudson Street]]'', Tony was excited about meeting his favourite footballer and getting him to autograph a ball. He said something along the lines of "I can't wait to get his John Hancock on my pigskin", causing one of his co-workers to remark "I hope that's not a euphemism".
* On ''[[Dinosaurs]]'', Charlene is dumped by her boyfriend, and this is Earl's reaction to the news.
* ''[[Wild Boys (TV)|Wild Boys]]'':
{{quote| "We've just been milking the goats."<br />
"I'll bet you have!" }}
* Used, albeit not with the exact phrasing on ''[[The Goodies (TV)|The Goodies]]'':
{{quote| '''American Officer:''' Well, I'll be hornswoggled!<br />
'''Graeme:''' Your personal life is no concern of ours. }}
 
== [[Music]] ==
 
* "Horizontal Bop" by Bob Seger
* Murdoc Niccals of [[Gorillaz]] mentioned in a radio interview that his bandmate Russel had mentioned he'd been "living in Ike Turner's basement" and Murdoc had assumed it was an [[Unusual Euphemism]]. Turns out Russel had, in fact, been living in Ike Turner's basement.
 
== [[Radio]] ==
* [[w:Doug Tracht|The Greaseman]] calls sexual intercourse "Hobble-de-ge" and oral sex "Gobble-de-ge".
 
== [[Recorded and Stand Up Comedy]] ==
* The Greaseman calls sexual intercourse "Hobble-de-ge" and oral sex "Gobble-de-ge".
* Ventriloquist [[Jeff Dunham]] has used this in an act with his dummy, Walter.
{{quote| '''Jeff:''' If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn?<br />
'''Walter:''' * long pause* "Choke a Smurf"?<br />
'''Jeff:''' Yeah.<br />
'''SamWalter:''' * chuckling* Is that what they're calling it these daysnow? TacticalWhat happened to the supportchicken? }}
 
== [[Theatre]] ==
* During the ''[[Comedy Ofof Errors]]'' spectacular "Lend Me a Tenor":
 
{{quote|'''Tito''': I know why you're here.
* During the ''[[Comedy Of Errors]]'' spectacular "Lend Me a Tenor":
{{quote| '''TitoMaggie''': IYou knowdo, whydo you're here.<br />?
'''MaggieTito''': YouYes-you do,want do you?<brmy />autograph.
'''Tito''': Yes-you want my autograph.<br />
'''Maggie''': Oh, is that what they call it in Italian? }}
* In ''[[Lady in Thethe Dark]]'', Charley insinuates that "color plates" might be the new "etchings":
{{quote| '''Russell''': Maggie--either Alison leaves the magazine or I do. This is the end--the absolute end.<br />
'''Maggie''': Now, Russell...<br />
'''Russell''': I meant it. She's just calmly loaned my color plates to a friend until Wednesday.<br />
'''Charley''': Say, that's kind of new... "I'd like you to come up to the apartment and see my color plates."<br />
'''Russell''': Oh, don't be so Goddamn bright, Johnson--you sicken me. }}
* In ''[[The Diary of Anne Frank (Theatre)|The Diary of Anne Frank]]'', after Anne goes to visit Peter in his room:
{{quote| '''Mrs. van Daan''': In my day it was the boys who called on the girls. Not the girls on the boys.<br />
'''Mrs. Frank''': You know how young people like to feel that they have secrets. Peter’s room is the only place where they can talk.<br />
'''Mrs. van Daan''': Talk! That’s not what they called it when I was young. }}
* From ''[[GreyThe GardensMusical]] ''[[TheGrey MusicalGardens (musical)|Grey Gardens]]'':
{{quote| '''Edith''': You're my soul mate, that's what you are.<br />
'''Gould''': "Soul mate," is that the nom du jour? }}
 
== [[Video Games]] ==
 
* The "interact" command in ''[[Assassin's Creed|Assassin's Creed II]]'' occasionally takes on some very interesting meanings.
* In ''[[Uncharted]] 2'':
{{quote| '''Nate''': I don't fumble, I improvise.<br />
'''Chloe''': Oh, is that what you call it? }}
 
== Webcomics[[Web Comics]] ==
* [http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_447.php "Fighting"] in ''[[Dan and MabsMab's Furry Adventures|DMFA]]'' 's [[Show Within a Show|Fic Within A Webcomic]], in a [[Sure, Let's Go Withwith That|"Sure, let's go with that"]] variant.
 
* Subverted in the webcomicweb comic ''[[Elf Life]]'': Filis was fond of referring to "frolicking" with Baughb, the main character When asked by another character why she was constantly using that euphemism, she angrily replies that she ''meant'' "frolicking" and if she meant to say "f*** ing" (censored in panel), she'd have said "f*** ing".
* [http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_447.php "Fighting"] in ''[[Dan and Mabs Furry Adventures|DMFA]]'' 's [[Show Within a Show|Fic Within A Webcomic]], in a [[Sure Let's Go With That|"Sure, let's go with that"]] variant.
* In ''[[Girl Genius (Webcomic)|Girl Genius]]'', a pair of background characters are said to be in the woods "hunting mushrooms" by a naivenaïve young guard, prompting this sort of response from his sergeant.
* Subverted in the webcomic ''[[Elf Life]]'': Filis was fond of referring to "frolicking" with Baughb, the main character When asked by another character why she was constantly using that euphemism, she angrily replies that she ''meant'' "frolicking" and if she meant to say "f*** ing" (censored in panel), she'd have said "f*** ing".
* ''[[Sinfest]]'': [httphttps://wwwweb.archive.org/web/20140209172615/http://sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=1792 Inspiration].
* In ''[[Girl Genius (Webcomic)|Girl Genius]]'', a pair of background characters are said to be in the woods "hunting mushrooms" by a naive young guard, prompting this sort of response from his sergeant.
* ''[[Sinfest]]'': [http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=1792 Inspiration].
* ''[[The Noob]]'' has an affair with the queen and Ohforf's "nose" in [http://www.thenoobcomic.com/index.php?pos=172 this strip]. (The actual nose he is referring to can be seen [http://www.thenoobcomic.com/index.php?pos=168 here].)
* In ''[[The Whiteboard (Webcomic)|The Whiteboard]]'', [http://www.the-whiteboard.com/autowb821.html Pirta says this to Jake.]
* ''[[OrderThe of the Stick (Webcomic)|Order of the Stick]]'' has {{spoiler|Elan's father}} interpret one of [[Cloudcuckoolander|Elan's]] [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0740.html statements as this]. Elan has [http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0742.html absolutely no idea] how {{spoiler|Tarquin}} interpreted it. Elan genuinely wanted him to think they were bathing an orang-utanorangutan.
** Hilariously averted later, when they need to get away from him for a minute.
{{quote| '''Elan:''' Uh, {{spoiler|Dad}}? Haley and I need to...go have sex.<br />
''' {{spoiler|Tarquin}}:''' Well, you'll miss the big fight, but you do what you need to do.<br />
'''Haley:''' Come on, V. And bring the cat, just in case.<br />
''' {{spoiler|Tarquin}}:''' ...huh. }}
* In [http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1788 this Questionable Content], a rather oversexed character interprets "Do you want to come back to my place, and, um, m-maybe I could show you some of MY fanfic?" as, well, you know.
** Subverted in an [http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=521 earlier strip], when Marten first meets Hannelore. She invites him back to her place to play Scrabble.
{{quote| "Like, for-real Scrabble, or is that a euphemism for something else?"<br />
"What? No! Scrabble! Sex is for no. Too many fluids and germs and sweat and ew. Totally yuck. Ew." }}
* A non-sexual version in ''[[Impure Blood]]'': [https://web.archive.org/web/20111108221233/http://www.impurebloodwebcomic.com/Pages/Issue3/ib065.html when Elnor blames her pounding head on the jostling from their journey, Roan asks if that's what they call the ale in the last town].
* In ''[[Sinfest]]'' [httphttps://wwwweb.archive.org/web/20140209172615/http://sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=1792 inspiration]
* After ''[[Wonderella]]'' is [[Taken for Granite|petrified by the Medusa]]:
{{quote| '''Mrs. Wonderella:''' This is an '''[[Bold Inflation|excellent]]''' paint job, Rita!<br />
'''Wonderita:''' '''Thanks!''' [[One of Us|I started doing Warhammer miniatures back in junior high]]!<br />
'''Mrs. Wonderella:''' I certainly hope that isn't some sort of '''sex act'''! }}
* ''[[Unshelved]]'': [http://www.unshelved.com/2005-5-26 "'Compared notes'?" "That's not what we called it my day."]
* ''[[Girls Withwith Slingshots]]'': [http://www.girlswithslingshots.com/comic/gws-852/ "We just... talked."]
 
== [[Web Original]] ==
* In [[SpoonysSpoony's Campaign]], [[The Angry Joe Show (Web Video)|Angry Joe]] is trying to describe a plan (that involves showing the head of an enemy to a kingdom), but he keeps making [[Innocent Innuendo]], for which the others rib him mercilessly ("Just because I'm taking a dude up to my room, and showing him my head, doesn't mean..."). When Joe tries to clarify that he's giving a ''severed'' head, [[Y: Ruler of Time]] remarks "Is that what they're calling it now? That's gotta be some sort of new BDSM practice."
 
* A common argument for [[Ship-to-Ship Combat|Harmony shippers]] amongst the ''[[Harry Potter (Literature)|Harry Potter]]'' fandom was that near the end of the third book, Harry and Hermione ride a Hippogriff together, supposedly symbolising [[One True Pairing|true love]]. "Riding the Hippogriff together" later became a popular euphemism and [[Memetic Mutation|meme]].
* In [[Spoonys Campaign]], [[The Angry Joe Show (Web Video)|Angry Joe]] is trying to describe a plan (that involves showing the head of an enemy to a kingdom), but he keeps making [[Innocent Innuendo]], for which the others rib him mercilessly ("Just because I'm taking a dude up to my room, and showing him my head, doesn't mean..."). When Joe tries to clarify that he's giving a ''severed'' head, [[Y Ruler of Time]] remarks "Is that what they're calling it now? That's gotta be some sort of new BDSM practice."
* ''Stupid Comics'': 'This one was imprisoned when she refused to let her prime minister "experiment" on her "subjects". [http://www.misterkitty.org/extras/stupidcovers/stupidcomics75.html I guess that's what the kids are calling it these days.]'
* ''[[Red Panda Adventures]]'':
{{quote| '''John Doe:''' I'd better go. Dr. Anna has been pestering me for some scheduled maintenance.<br />
'''Kit:''' Hmm, is that what they're calling it these days? }}
 
== [[Western Animation]] ==
* Variation in ''[[SpongebobSpongeBob SquarePants]]'': An ep has Squidward hearing SBSP saying "I'm ugly and proud", prompting him to wonder: "Is that what he calls it?"
 
** Also the episode where SpongebobSpongeBob and Sandy can't stop "karate fighting."
* Variation in ''[[Spongebob SquarePants]]'': An ep has Squidward hearing SBSP saying "I'm ugly and proud", prompting him to wonder: "Is that what he calls it?"
* In ''[[Transformers]]: [[Beast Wars (Animation)|Beast Wars]]'', Silverbolt returns from a scouting run, in which he actually met with his [[Dating Catwoman|still-evil lover Blackarachnia.]] Rattrap asks him, "Find any new ''positions''?"
** Also the episode where Spongebob and Sandy can't stop "karate fighting."
* ''[[The Penguins of Madagascar|]]'': "Of course, it is, er, unwise that we two should 'kaboom together' ever again."]]
* In ''[[Transformers]]: [[Beast Wars (Animation)|Beast Wars]]'', Silverbolt returns from a scouting run, in which he actually met with his [[Dating Catwoman|still-evil lover Blackarachnia.]] Rattrap asks him, "Find any new ''positions''?"
* Murdoc Niccals of [[Gorillaz]] mentioned in a radio interview that his bandmate Russel had mentioned he'd been "living in Ike Turner's basement" and Murdoc had assumed it was an [[Unusual Euphemism]]. Turns out Russel had, in fact, been living in Ike Turner's basement.
* [[The Penguins of Madagascar|"Of course, it is, er, unwise that we two should 'kaboom together' ever again."]]
 
== Real Life ==
 
== [[Real Life]] ==
* Real world example: In the 1970s in the UK, a female journalist who had been in a bedroom with a former Ugandan cabinet minister during a dinner party claimed they had been "discussing Uganda". The satirical magazine ''[[Private Eye]]'' has used "discussing Uganda" or "Ugandan relations" as an [[Unusual Euphemism]] ever since.
** It's not certain that it will last as a meme, but South Carolina governor Mark Sanford may have contributed an example. His initial explanation for his disappearance (to visit his mistress in Argentina) was that he had been "hiking the Appalachian Trail", and some commentators explicitly referenced the "discussing Uganda" incident as a comparison.
* And then there's "[https://web.archive.org/web/20131110043914/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2010-05-06/news/christian-right-leader-george-rekers-takes-vacation-with-rent-boy/ lifting luggage]".
* Ventriloquist [[Jeff Dunham]] has used this in an act with his dummy, Walter.
{{quote| '''Jeff:''' If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn?<br />
'''Walter:''' * long pause* "Choke a Smurf"?<br />
'''Jeff:''' Yeah.<br />
'''Walter:''' Is that what they're calling it now? What happened to the chicken? }}
 
{{reflist}}
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[[Category:Stock Phrases]]
[[Category:Older Than Print]]
[[Category:Is That What They're Calling It Now?{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:This Index Asked You a Question]]