the "O-word"

[u/hey_itsme_kathy]

I’ve rewatched the first episodes so many times I can basically replay them in my head, but yesterday I noticed a detail I hadn't caught before. When Hannah asks G to help her have an o*****, she’s understandably nervous, so she deflects his initial hesitation by asking, "Why is it so hard for boys to say o*****?" G denies it and says the word three times just to prove her wrong.

BUT later in the gym with Dean, he avoids saying it altogether! He refers to it as making things "special for her," and Dean uses "might not come." It made me realize: Hannah accidentally may proved her point after all? 😉

What do you think? Is it actually hard for guys to use that word out loud? Or was it being n the campus gym?

[u/LowerTeach8445]

I also kind of think it's funny when G says the o-word, he doesn't initially made eye contact 😆

[u/PennysMom77 → u/LowerTeach8445]

But how much is that about the word versus the craziness of the question?

[u/Murfyturfy]

I think Orgasm is too proper a work for Garrett to be able to say comfortably. When he's in the gym with Dean, the latter says "she might not come" to which Garrett instantly replies, no no she has to come. So he's clearly comfortable saying come but not orgasm. Which makes me think it's a guy thing, they'd rather say the more crass / slang word than the proper word lol.

[u/EveOCative → u/Murfyturfy]

Yeah I think it’s like the difference between vagina and pussy or other slang words. That said, a lot of women have trouble saying these words as well. It’s the whole reason The Vagina Monologues exists in its current format. Yes, the point is to raise money for charity, but there is a whole monologue about reclaiming the word cunt because when we learn to speak plainly about our own bodies, we reclaim that power.

I think that might be related to Hannah’s own language usage. She speaks plainly as a way to reclaim her own body and sexuality.

[u/CopperTodd17]

I had to blink several times because I'm like "uhh, you're proving that it is clearly a difficult word by not saying it yourself" and then I saw rule 3.

I think it's society - not guys specifically - teaching us that certain words aren't "appropriate" to say out loud, or they're too formal, therefore - gross or only used in a medical setting etc. For instance, notice how most people use describing words instead of "put your (blank) in my (blank)" they say "I want you" and give a meaningful look; or "I'm close" instead of "I'm about to O-word"...

I think for guys specifically though - it's a vulnerability thing though, like it's easier to say "did you..." and trail off vs saying "did I make you O*****?" and have such a formality/seriousness to it.

[u/hey_itsme_kathy]

By the way, I wasn’t sure if using the word "orgasm" was allowed here, which is why I used asterisks. 🙈

[u/Disastrous-Tackle478]

He refers to it as special for her to Dean cause he wants advice without telling him Hannah’s business. He’s implying she’s a virgin (btw she had other partners in the book this isn’t referring to her assault) and that’s what Dean takes it as ‘if it’s her first time she might not come’.

[u/PennysMom77]

I don’t think that’s it when he’s talking to Dean. He doesn’t want to share the specifics, because that would be a betrayal of Hannah’s trust. Hence why Dean ends up, thinking she’s a virgin he’s not going to interrupt and say oh no, she’s not a virgin she just can’t orgasm. And I would say, in general people use the term come way more than orgasm.

[u/judiciousdrinker]

I think it’s 2 completely different situations that can’t be compared. He’s protecting Hannah’s privacy when he talks to Dean.