Can we please stop using the term "anal?"

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

So's I'm listening to NPR this weekend--Car Talk. They get a caller on the the phone whose husband is very picky about car maintenance. But instead of saying "picky" or "particular" or any variation on that idea, she says her husband is "anal." Right away that conjures an idea and image in my mind that is NOT AT ALL PLEASANT! Now, I know this is a clear indication of my own depravity or something but surely people can think of a better word to use, especially if they're on-the-air. Say "anal-retentive" if you must, but Jesus, when can we work this term out of everyday speech?

[kick-ass-bob]

1. never.

Gawd, you're so anal.

[underpants]

3. He is anal isn't he?

*

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

6. Guess I should have seen that one coming.

I still think it's a term that should be reserved for porn movie titles only.

[Magrittes Pipe]

2. Sorry -- when I think "SouthoftheBorderPaul,"

I think "anal."

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

7. Well, that *was* a memorable night, wasn't it?

[pdx_prog]

4. Anal is as anal does sir!

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

9. Er....okay.

[Loonman]

5. How about vaginal?

Nope, sexist.

Penile? no same thing. I got nuthin'.

[AirmensMom]

8. We call it hyphenated ...

from the t-shirt in the Wireless catalog several years ago that asked, "Does anal-retentive have a hyphen?"

[wildhorses]

10. How about OCD?

as in obsessive compulsive disorder? Which is what A**L is a form?

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

11. Works for me!

[Shell Beau]

12. It's one of those words that just sounds gross!

[billyskank]

14. Which is appropriate, you have to admit

[Shell Beau]

15. But of course!!

[DS1]

13. What if it's the prefix for "pore"

It's a legimate scientific term

[yellowcanine]

16. Hopefully he is not so anal he sucks up chair cushions. Now THAT'S anal.

[redqueen]

17. Not pleasant?

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

19. Something you wanna tell us, RQ?

[redqueen]

23. Ummmmmmm

No.

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

24. Haha, didn't think so....

[RandomKoolzip]

18. Can we also phase out "DP" as an abbreviation for "Director of Photography

?"

[sendero]

20. LOL...

... what else could that possibly mean?

[Initech]

21. What if you're an analyst and a therapist?

Or, analrapist?

*waits for someone to get the reference*

[XNASA]

22. You're banal.

So up your canal, pal.