Culture

Chris Taylor and Grime Gran reveal Britain’s quirky nicknames for body parts amid deodorant shame study

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 12:09AM UTC

TV star Chris Taylor and content creator Grime Gran explore the playful and regional nicknames Brits give to body parts, spotlighting how humour helps ease embarrassment over body odour – a sentiment shared by 40% of Britons in new research by Sure Whole Body Deodorant.

In a light-hearted exploration of cultural expressions, TV star Chris Taylor and content creator Grime Gran, known off-screen as Margie, ventured into the streets of London to unveil the quirky nicknames that Brits assign to different body parts. Amidst the laughter, they discovered a rich tapestry of terms, from "footsies" for feet to "trotters," which resonated particularly with Northerners. This investigation forms part of recent research conducted by Sure Whole Body Deodorant, which unearthed some revealing statistics about British attitudes towards body odour; notably, 40% of respondents expressed feelings of shame regarding various odours beyond the underarms, leading to a pervasive sense of self-consciousness.

Among the playful nicknames revealed, "tummy" emerged as a favourite, used by 40% of those surveyed, with "food baby" gaining traction among 14%. The research highlighted a pattern: while nearly half of participants viewed these pet names primarily as sources of amusement, a significant 30% adopted them to cultivate a sense of ease, while 10% found them instrumental in easing their embarrassment. As Chris succinctly noted, “I’ve been in my fair share of sweaty situations – and it definitely helps to break the tension by using a nickname.”

The variety of terms unearthed by Taylor and Gran reflects an ongoing fascination with colloquial language in the UK. This mirthful investigation resonates with historical trends in slang, where terms for body parts often reveal deeper cultural sentiments. For example, the article discussing slang terms outlines old yet vivid expressions like "brainpan" for skull and "candle-mine" for belly, demonstrating the flexibility and creativity inherent in English vernacular. This infusion of humour into everyday language serves as a form of social commentary, where the playful use of nicknames provides a mechanism for individuals to navigate their insecurities and maintain a light-hearted atmosphere.

Additionally, the propensity for humour found in such names is mirrored in more satirical discussions surrounding body language. One satirical article examines exaggerated nicknames like "pistons" for legs and "chesticles" for the chest, critiquing the practice within certain social groups. This highlights not only the fluidity of language but also the often ridiculous lengths to which people go to create bonds through shared laughter, even at the expense of bodily dignity.

The conversation surrounding body parts extends across various regional dialects, showcasing a rich diversity in expressions. In forums dedicated to slang, users share terms such as "noggin" for head and "peepers" for eyes, emphasising that language is as much a reflection of culture as it is a tool for communication. Furthermore, educational resources shed light on the plethora of terms available, categorising expressions that range from endearing to irreverent, thus enriching the English lexicon.

As attitudes towards body image continue to evolve, such playful expressions and nicknames may provide a necessary outlet for self-acceptance. In an era marked by heightened awareness of body positivity, it seems that humour may serve as an essential ally, allowing individuals to confront their insecurities with a smile. What remains clear is that language—particularly the whimsical terms we assign to our bodies—serves not just as a means of identification but as a vital component of shared human experience, one filled with both vulnerability and humour.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/2054755/tv-star-grime-gran-expose-funny-nicknames-brits-give-body-parts - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58752/30-old-and-useful-slang-names-parts-body - This article explores 30 old and useful slang terms for various body parts, providing historical context and examples of usage. It includes terms like 'brainpan' for skull, 'candle-mine' for belly, and 'cat-sticks' for legs, offering insights into the evolution of colloquial language.
https://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/lifestyle/the-guns-and-four-other-nicknames-twats-use-for-parts-of-their-body-20210528208615 - A satirical piece highlighting humorous and exaggerated nicknames some individuals use for their body parts, such as 'pistons' for legs and 'chesticles' for chest. The article critiques the overuse of such terms in certain social circles.
https://letslearnslang.com/slang-words-for-body-parts/ - This resource lists various slang terms for body parts, including 'muffin top' for excess abdominal fat and 'mug' for face. It provides definitions and examples of usage, illustrating the diversity of colloquial expressions.
https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/discussion-slang-body-parts.139954/ - A forum discussion where users share and explain slang terms for body parts in English, such as 'noggin' for head and 'peepers' for eyes. The thread offers a range of regional and cultural variations.
https://learn-authentic-english.com/body-parts-and-senses-slang/ - An educational article detailing slang terms for body parts and senses, including 'bag of bones' for a very thin person and 'blub' for to cry. It provides definitions and example sentences to aid understanding.
https://engoo.com/blog/language-tips/english-slang-for-body-parts/ - This blog post introduces English slang terms for body parts, such as 'noggin' for head and 'bean' for head as a thinking tool. It offers definitions and example sentences to help learners incorporate these terms into their vocabulary.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative references recent research conducted by Sure Whole Body Deodorant, suggesting contemporary relevance. No indications of outdated references or role changes are present. There is no clear evidence that content is recycled from older articles, though the topic and style suggest a timely promotional or sponsored content format which is common with new press releases, warranting a higher freshness rating.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The direct quote by Chris Taylor appears unique and specific to this narrative, with no earlier known online references found to it. This increases the likelihood of the quote being original and not recycled, justifying a relatively high score. The absence of a traceable original source or prior usage indicates it may be a fresh and authentic inclusion.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from a commercial entertainment/newspaper environment, likely the Express, which is a recognized UK publication but less rigorous than top-tier sources like Reuters or BBC in editorial fact-checking. The presence of brand-related research (Sure Whole Body Deodorant) suggests partial promotional content, which lowers the objectivity reliability somewhat.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims about British colloquial nicknames and the statistics from the deodorant company’s research are plausible and consistent with known cultural behaviors and typical marketing campaigns. The light-hearted nature and inclusion of commonly known slang terms support plausibility. Lack of independent verification of the research is noted but not unusual for brand-commissioned studies.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is current and largely fresh, supported by an original quote and plausible content aligned with cultural context. It originates from a moderately reliable UK news source with commercial ties, which slightly affects reliability but does not severely undermine factual accuracy. The promotional nature of the research is clearly evident but consistent with common marketing-driven journalism, supporting an overall positive assessment.

Chris Taylor
Grime Gran
British slang
body image
Sure Whole Body Deodorant
cultural expressions