Words: retromingent, adj. or n.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."I WOULD offer to let you go first, but this is hardly the place in which you can be retromingent." My gracious explanation, as I gestured towards a urinal, brought bafflement to the face of one of the several women in the gentlemen's lavatory at the White Horse on Parson's Green. After all, neither Sir Thomas Browne nor the Gentlemen's Magazine are usually discussed on that sloppy floor.
Such was the queue for the ladies' caused by the recent jazz festival that bolder spirits among them braved the gents'. Whether or not so gallic a phenomenon spreads further, it is certain that, therein, they will continue to head for the cubicles, for, unless one is a lion or elephant, to be retromingent - that is, to urinate backwards - requires discretion.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments