What does scatological mean?
Scatological is an adjective meaning connected with excrement or excretion. It may describe language, humor, art, or writing that focuses on bodily waste or functions, usually with the implication that the material is vulgar, crude, or deliberately transgressive. In literary and cultural criticism, the word can identify a longstanding tradition of using taboo subjects to provoke laughter, disgust, or social commentary. The term derives from the Greek root skatos, meaning dung or excrement, combined with elements related to study or description. Scatological is related to scatology, the study or analysis of feces, and is commonly used with words such as humor, language, and comedy. Because it is more specialized than terms such as dirty or obscene, it generally suits descriptive, analytical, or historical contexts.
adjectiveRelating to or concerning excrement or the bodily process of excretion. In figurative use, scatological language is extremely vulgar, filthy, or focused on bodily waste.
- Relating to excrement or excretion.
- Vulgar or obscene, especially because it concerns bodily waste or functions.
"The comedian's scatological routine offended some members of the audience."
"The museum's exhibit combines scatological imagery with sharp social criticism."
"Several early episodes of the program contain scatological humor that may surprise modern viewers."
Scatological humor has an unusually literal name: it is humor derived from the study or depiction of bodily waste.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scatological come from?
Scatological comes from the combining form scato-, derived from Greek skatos, meaning dung or excrement, together with elements connected with study or description. It developed in the vocabulary of medicine and the natural sciences before becoming widely used for describing vulgar or obscene material. Its close relatives include scatology and scatologist, both based on the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How scatological is actually used
The term is relatively uncommon and more typical of formal or analytical writing than everyday speech. It often describes crude humor, language, or art involving bodily functions, and can carry a strong implication of vulgarity.