Dickshunary

A dickshunary is a humorous and inventive word that blends “dictionary” with “dickshunery,” which itself is a play on “shunning.” At its core, it refers to a kind of dictionary, but not just any dictionary. It’s one that reflects the quirks, inside jokes, and sometimes absurd definitions found in places like Urban Dictionary.

A dickshunary can be a tool for mockery, a place of exile, or even a spiritual home. It might describe a person who carries out shunning, someone with the power to send others away from society for breaking religious rules, or it could refer to a kind of convent where people live in devotion to a certain lifestyle or belief system. It can also be a fun way to describe a dictionary that’s full of silly, slangy words.

The dickshunary has become more than just a joke. It's a symbol of how language evolves, especially online, and how we use it to express both our humor and our frustrations with the world around us.

The term "Dickshunary" is a playful and somewhat rebellious twist on the word dictionary, often used in humorous or exaggerated contexts to describe a kind of lexicographical work, especially one that's been censored or altered for religious or moral reasons.

Origin & Spread

The earliest known use of "Dickshunary" appears to stem from religion-related humor, particularly within Mormon (Latter-day Saint) communities. The term first gained attention as a joke about the Church-approved version of a dictionary, one that avoids any mention of male genitalia, a notable omission given the religious emphasis on modesty and chastity before marriage. This censored or "sanitized" dictionary is often referred to as a dickshunary, implying that it’s been altered (or "shunned") to exclude certain bodily parts, specifically "dicks."

This idea of a dickshunary then evolved into broader usage, appearing in various contexts such as urban dictionary entries and online humor. The term is often associated with the Mormon practice of shunning, where individuals who break religious codes are socially excluded, a concept that inspired both the word dickshunary and its more humorous extensions.

The spread of "Dickshunary" appears to be largely supported by usage evidence from online communities, especially those involving lexicography humor and religious satire. However, the exact origin and timeline of how it moved from a specific religious joke to a general internet phenomenon remain uncertain. While some variations suggest urban dictionary as a source or contributor to its popularity, there’s no definitive historical record confirming when or where "Dickshunary" first appeared in print.

Still, what is clear is that the word has grown beyond its original context and now lives on as a fun and somewhat subversive form of lexical creativity.

The Dickshunary is more than just a dictionary, it’s a cultural phenomenon that bends and stretches language to reflect both humor and deeper social commentary. It's used in informal, often playful registers, particularly among younger people or those with a taste for irreverence. Its tone leans toward the silly, the exaggerated, and occasionally the ironic.

In its most sincere use, the Dickshunary reflects the idea of being a repository of knowledge, though not always traditional knowledge. It might be the Church-approved version that avoids mentioning "dicks" altogether, as seen in one example where it was given to a child as an “appropriate and safe” reference guide. This is sincere in its intention: to offer clarity and moral guidance, but with a twist.

In ironic use, the Dickshunary becomes something else entirely. It’s not just a dictionary; it’s a monument to absurdity. For instance, someone might say, “I lak erbin dickshinary,”, a clumsy, childlike version of “Let’s go to urban dictionary.” This ironic twist shows how language can be both silly and meaningful at the same time.

The Dickshunary is also used metaphorically, as in a convent dedicated to lexicography or as a place where people live out alternative lifestyles. It can describe someone who “sucks too much weener,” or someone who’s overly obsessed with words, like the editors at Urban Dictionary, who are sometimes called the "urban dick shunary."

Original examples might include:

• After the church discovered he was texting his crush during Sunday service, Father Thomas gave him a dickshunary for being too distracted by love.
• The new student in the convent was told she had to live in the dickshunary, where only words and quiet contemplation were allowed.
• When asked why he chose to study lexicography, Edjog simply said, “I find considerable amusement in daft puns, like dickshunnery.”

In every use, the Dickshunary is a blend of wordplay, irony, and sometimes even spirituality, making it both serious and silly all at once.

Dickshunary is more than just a playful twist on “dictionary”, it’s a term that has evolved through humor, culture, and even religious context to take on multiple meanings.

The most common variation of dickshunary refers to an alternate version of the traditional dictionary, often associated with Urban Dictionary, which captures slang, jokes, and informal language. This comes from the humorous way people mispronounce “urban dictionary” as “urbin dickshinairy,” a playful twist that highlights how language can shift in fun ways.

But the term also has deeper roots in religious practice. In some interpretations, dickshunary describes the process of being sent to live in a convent-like place called the dickshunary, as a form of social exile for violating religious sexual codes. This is especially relevant among certain groups like Mormons, where being caught having sex before marriage could lead to being “dickshunned,” meaning they are shunned or excluded from community life. A dickshunner would be someone with the authority to carry out this sentencing.

There’s also a more lighthearted take: a dickshunary can be a convent dedicated specifically to lexicography, where nuns might spend their time compiling words and meanings in a very serious (or very silly) way. The term even shows up in puns like “dickshunnery,” as seen when someone says, what is this dickshinery?, a fun play on the idea of someone being overly into wordplay or definitions.

Culturally, dickshunary has grown in popularity, especially with younger generations who enjoy its humorous and sometimes absurd variations. It’s also a reminder that language can be flexible and even silly, as seen when people mispronounce it like I lak erbin dickshinary, a playful, less formal version of the term.

However, it's worth noting that dickshunary is often used in jest or within specific communities. In some contexts, like religious settings, being “dickshunned” might carry more weight than just a fun wordplay. So while it’s a great way to express creativity with language, using it too casually could sometimes lead to misunderstandings or even embarrassment, especially when someone tries to explain The Talk based on a dickshunary they read in a monastery rummage sale.