When you have to stop being polite, for the patient's sake.

[WilcoWorld]

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Had a patient recently who presented with testicular pain. After a workup I was trying to delicately explain that increased scrotal support would alleviate his symptoms. I used polite and simple language, and tried phrased this in several ways, but he kept looking at me with a blank stare until I said. "You need to wear a banana hammock and stop free-balling." At which point his face lit up and he replied, "Oh, cool. Thanks."

 

[Apollyon]

I just say to wear "briefs" or "tighty whiteys". I'll also refer to testicles as "balls" or "nuts" to clarify, because, as you say, or imply, the patients don't know the hardware (or firmware).

 

[Angry Birds]

What I find amazing is how teens and grown adults don't know basic English words. "What's nausea mean?" Vomiting is "vomicking" and stool is "boo boo." How in the world do you say "boo boo" as a grown adult to a doctor??

 

[OccupyTheED]

Happens all the time @Angry Birds , had a patient unashamedly boo boo in the triage chair last night. 43 yo F.