Take A Dump
The phrase, "take a dump," is mildly-vulgar slang describing the evacuation of excrement from the bowels through the anus. It derives primarily from one entry of the definition for the word dump, which is to "fling down or drop heavily or suddenly".
Use in Popular Culture
Usage of the phrase, "take a dump," can be traced as far back as 1971. 1 However, its frequency within popular culture has increased dramatically in recent years. 2 Perhaps the most common usage of the phrase “take a dump” in popular culture is in comparison of two extremes. The repulsive act of defecating is contrasted with something pleasant. Such contrast can be used to elevate something ugly, such as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman’s statement in the film Full Metal Jacket: “I want that head so sanitary and squared-away that the Virgin Mary herself would be proud to go in and take a dump.”
On the other hand, this contrast of two extremes serves as a degradation. For example, in the film Tommy Boy, Chris Farley (as Tommy) debased the idea of guarantees when he said, “Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will.”
“Take a dump” is also used for mild shock value in an attempt to define a character. Upon using the phrase, the audience immediately determines that a character is a little rough around the edges, even if the character is otherwise likable. Some notable examples include Admiral Painter’s statement in The Hunt for Red October: “Russians don’t take a dump, son, without a plan.” In the film Glengarry Glen Ross, Ricky Roma asks, “You ever take a dump made you feel like you'd just slept for twelve hours?”
The phrase is used less commonly as an insult. In some cases, it suggests that someone is flawed because they cannot hold their bowels. The film Napoleon Dynamite uses this insult when Napoleon asks, “Hey, Don, did you take a dump in your bed last night?”
The insult is also used to indicate that another person is contemptible. For example, Gilbert Godfried in a roast of Dennis Leary, speaking as Dennis’ Irish wolfhound, Clancy, said, “You know, if you want to enjoy your Dennis Leary comedy album, do what I do everything morning—get out your copy, and take a gigantic dump on it!”
The phrase “take a dump” is even found in non-American cultures. A Honduran proverb states: Andas tirándote pedos, pero nunca cagas. Translation: You fart, but you never take a dump.
Even animation makes use of “take a dump.” In one episode of Southpark, Eric Cartman was heard to say, “You know that feeling you get when you take a huge dump? Awesome.”
The character Brock, in the animated series The Venture Bros. once exclaimed, “It means Dr. Orpheus had to take a dump. So nice job. Case closed.”
The animated series The Boondocks once featured character White Shadow saying, “And I wasn’t actually in the bathroom taking a dump. That brother of yours is a hoot.”
British comedy uses the phrase extensively. For instance, British comedian Steve Coogan, in portraying character Alan Partridge, stated, "I do like that toilet. It's very futuristic, isn't it? … I can imagine Buck Rogers taking a dump on that."
See Also
- Full Metal Jacket (IMDB)
- Tommy Boy (IMDB)
- The Hunt for Red October (IMDB)
- Glengarry Glen Ross (IMDB)
- Napoleon Dynamite (IMDB)
- The Official Venture Brothers Website
- BBC Official Alan Partridge Site