Who doesn’t love condoms? These phallus-shaped latex sacks have become an indispensable part of our “safe sex” toolkit over the years. They are 98 percent effective in keeping those enthusiastic sperms from making you pregnant, and also reduce the risks of possible STD exchanges and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission.1 They do all this without interfering with your hormones, menstrual timelines, and egg production and without affecting your partner’s sperm levels. That too at an average cost of 1.12$ per unit (in the U.S.), meaning one good session of safe sex is actually cheaper than your morning cup of coffee.
Yes. We’re definitely pro-condom.
So, it’s only reasonable to know your favorite barrier method even better, here are 9 historically accurate, factually bizarre condom did-you-knows to blow your… ahem, mind.
1. The Danish Call Condoms Svangerskabsforebyggendemiddel
Forget simplistic names like jimmies. The official Danish word for condoms is svangerskabsforebyggendemiddel, which is admittedly hard to whisper across the medical counter. Not to mention how hard it will be to maintain a seductive tone while trying to be smooth in initiating some P in the V. Thankfully, the Danish have a more commonly used term for it – gummimand. Phew!
2. A Used Condom Is Also Called A Scumbag
There are some of us who celebrate our eternal love for the condom by giving it some endearing nicknames like “willy warmer” and “love glove.” Then there are some of us who decidedly wanted to focus on the more repulsive side of this birth control method. Brought to you from the 1960s, the derogatory term “scumbag” basically means a used condom that still bears the leftover traces of a man’s semen. Talk about throwing some seriously grimy shade at someone.
3. Condoms Were In Use More Than 15000 Years Ago
Condoms, in general, are legit ancient and have been on this planet for thousands of years. Apparently, there’s a French cave named Grotte des Combarrelles, whose walls bear a painting of a man using a condom that’s estimated to be around 12000 to 15000 years old. How do we know this? From an academic book written in 1985 called Johnny Come Lately: A Short History of the Condom.
Use this to initiate some intellectually stimulating pillow talk, if you haven’t impressed your date already that is.
4. The Oldest Surviving Condom Was Made Of Pigs’ Intestines
A certain Austrian museum still houses the world’s oldest surviving condom, which dates back to 1640. It’s a Swedish condom, made from the intestines of a pig. It is also said to have been bathed in warm milk before it was used to make it germ- and disease-free. Other materials used to make condoms back in the day were animal bladders, fish skin, tortoise shells, animal horns, and oiled silk paper. We sincerely apologize if this bit made you reflexively clutch at your privates.
5. The First Rubber Condom Was Born In 1855, Thanks To Mr Goodyear
Charles Goodyear came out with an ingenious rubber vulcanization process which also marked the birth of the rubber condom in 1855. This is why latex condoms, till date are still often called rubbers. While this was a major leap forward as far as material was concerned, it was actually as thick as a bicycle inner tube. If a man didn’t have a very impressive girth, it could’ve been something to raise a toast to. Otherwise? Not very appealing, thanks.
6. Soldiers Used Condoms To Protect Rifles From Rusting
That unintended pun is probably making you go “duh!” but hold the urge. We’re not implying the regular skin-pistols here, but legit rifles used for fighting war. Soldiers in the Second World War devised a clever way to protect their rifles from the damaging effects of salt water while swimming the shores. They covered the barrels of their rifles with condoms to prevent them from rusting.
Looks like condoms can protect your weapon in more ways than one, eh?
7. A Condom Can Hold Up To A Gallon of Liquid
The average-sized condom can hold up to a gallon of liquid. While this fact holds true provided your penis isn’t already inside, it’s still comforting to know that when it comes to holding fluids without breaking a leak, condoms have your back.
This fact is especially important for ladies to know. So the next time your dude tells you his load is much too big for a condom, you know he’s just making an excuse.
8. Around 40% Of Condoms Are Bought By Women
No, men aren’t the ones to buy the condoms. About 40% of condom sales are thanks to proactive women who take responsibility for their sexual health. Give yourselves a round of applause, ladies!
9. National Condom Day Is The Same As Valentine’s Day
On the outset, Valentine’s Day may seem all about candy hearts and roses. But did you know that there are about 87 condoms that are used every second on the 14th of February in the United States? Which also goes to show how much this day lives up to its second title of National Condom Day.
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