In promoting “Boys Will Be Boys” this past week, I’ve learned some valuable linguistic lessons.
Lesson 1: Don’t say “Jerk off” on the radio.
Lesson 2: Don’t say “Penis” on the radio.
The “jerk off” lesson came first. I was on Philly’s WIP radio with a host named Ike Reese (he used to be an Eagle) and he asked me about the antics of Charles Haley, the crazy defensive end. I said, “Well, he used to jerk off in the locker room, and …”
Silence.
Total silence.
Total, humiliating silence.
The interview eventually continued, but things were never the same. Ike wrapped it up quickly, and when I was preparing to do Philly TV the next day, a producer said, “One favor, no ‘jerk off.'”
I said, “How about ‘Spanking the monkey?’ or “Whacking off?'” She laughed.
This morning I was on WFAN here in New York, in studio with Boomer and Craig, when I told the story of Haley walking through the locker room with athletic tape wrapped around his schlong. When I said, “Penis,” the mood totally changed. “Not the best radio word,” I was told later.
Hence—and I’ll make this a book giveaway—I’d love some good euphemisms that are radio friendly. In fact, not only will I offer a book, but I will select the most radio friendly one, and use them on my next viable interview and even try and drop the name of the person who supplies it …
Game on. (And read this for inspiration)
