The phrase “on the rag” is a slang term for menstruation. 1 This phrase likely originated sometime during the late 19th century. When a woman was menstruating, she was “on the rag” or “riding the rag,” phrases that literally described the way most women up until then managed their menstruation.
They would then use pins or safety hooks to attach the rags to their underwear. Thus, they would literally be “on the rag” during that magical time of the month. After each use, the women would wash the “rags” and continue the cycle in 28 days.
After the 1800s, women faired slightly better with “rag bags” (hence the term rag) – yes, literally, a bag of rags that were washed and re-used. Then came the sanitary apron, which is quite similar to wearing a giant rubber diaper. Luckily, pads and tampons came along soon thereafter, but not without some constraints.
verb transitiveWord forms: ragged or ˈragging Slang. 1. to tease, scold, criticize, or nag.
One term used, "on the rag," came about in the 1800s. It referred to the cloths, or other absorbent fabric, pinned to underwear to capture menstrual blood. This phrase is just one example of the cultural taboo against talking frankly about menstruation in modern times; the tradition is clearly longstanding.
It is offensive slang to mean that a woman is having a menstrual period. Why say it about yourself and demean yourself? Who's business is it anyway whether you're menstruating or not? Surely just a simple, "I've got my period is enough?"
The Victorian Period (And Beyond)
From the 1890s to the early 1980s, people used sanitary belts, which basically were reusable pads that attached to a belt worn around the waist – and yes, they were as uncomfortable as they sound.
“Period” is rooted in the Greek words “peri” and “hodos” (periodos) meaning “around” and “way/path.” This eventually turned into the Latin “periodus” meaning “recurring cycle.” Use of the English term “period” to describe menstruation began in the early 1800s (1).
Other Names for Menstrual Cups
Beaver Dam. Poon Spittoon. Muff Cup. Goblet of Fire. Blood Chalice.
In the Victorian Era, rags were commonly used as pads which coined the term, “on the rag”. These 'rags' were reusable and commonly homemade from flannels or woven fabric.
Tell him in a straightforward way.
Chances are he's been through sex ed and had other partners (or a sibling or close friend) who have mentioned it before, so it shouldn't be a big deal to him. Say something simple, like "Hey, I just started my period. I'm not feeling so great."
Aunt Flo. First we have one of the most common and widely understood slang phrases for menstruation in Britain, “Aunt Flo”. This one is widely used and is one of many similar “Aunt” euphemisms for menstruation that you may hear.
Although men will not bleed, nor will they experience all of the same symptoms as women, these hormonal shifts can have some pretty notable side effects, especially with mood and irritability. Some call it the “man period” others call it Irritable Male Syndrome, either way, it can be quite similar to a woman's PMS.
“Although we know that [period pain] can feel like you're being repeatedly punched in the stomach from the inside out, explaining this to other people (read: generally men) can feel like a lost cause,” wrote columnist George Driver.
In the third book of the Pentateuch or Torah and particularly in the Code of legal purity (or Provisions for clean and unclean) of the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11:1-15:33), it is stated that a woman undergoing menstruation is perceived as unclean for seven days and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening (see ...
The earliest disposable pads were generally in the form of a cotton wool or similar fibrous rectangle covered with an absorbent liner. The liner ends were extended front and back so as to fit through loops in a special girdle or belt worn beneath undergarments.
Back in the 1800s, girls wouldn't get their periods until they were well into their teens — the average age was around 17. Nowadays, the average age to start menstruating is 12 — a whole five years younger. Scientists think there are a few key reasons for this: namely, improved nutrition.
We've heard them called plugs, flow stogies and menses mops.
Disposable menstrual pads grew from a Benjamin Franklin invention created to help stop wounded soldiers from bleeding, but appear to have been first commercially available from around 1880 with Thomas and William Southall's pad.
(euphemistic slang) A personification of the menstrual period or menstruation. Aunt Flo came to visit last night: that's why I was so ratty.
A recent study in the journal Ethology reveals that men can detect from a woman's voice whether she is menstruating.
Approach talking about your period with your employer in the same way you would talk about any other health issue. Keep it professional, appropriate and don't feel like you need to go into a huge amount of detail to justify yourself.