Traditionalists and a certain epidemiological term…

[spangler1982]

I feel somewhat embarrassed for asking this, but I’ve been dying to know for some time now…

In at least two online recordings of two different talks by priests who are part of the traditional movement, I have heard them talk about what modern mainstream epidemiology calls STDs. But these two priests in these two different talks (I’m pretty sure they were both homilies) both kept using the older term VD, which I thought was strange, since I haven’t heard that term in common use since the early 80s.

Just wondering if this was just coincidence, or is there a school of thought amongst traditionalists (or some traditionalists) that VD is a more accurate term, and STD not? I know that the older term gets its name from the Roman goddess Venus, so I’m wondering if it has to do with the whole Classical worldview that was dominant before the Enlightenment/Protestantism, etc….

 

[IrishAm]

How old were the priests? Was it simply a generational term?

 

[Not_Sure_1]

Venereal disease sounds more poetic than sexually transmitted diseases which is a mouthful. The latter also sounds stuffy and scientific. The abbreviations themselves (either one) don’t sound well either, but Venereal is more historical, and not many people are saying it anymore.

 

[mattkubes]

No clue. Maybe it’s because so many of them have doctorates in theology, and the abbreviation you’ll find after their names is for Sacrae Theologiae Doctor…S.T.D.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I feel somewhat embarrassed for asking this, but I’ve been dying to know for some time now…

In at least two online recordings of two different talks by priests who are part of the traditional movement, I have heard them talk about what modern mainstream epidemiology calls STDs. But these two priests in these two different talks (I’m pretty sure they were both homilies) both kept using the older term VD, which I thought was strange, since I haven’t heard that term in common use since the early 80s.

Just wondering if this was just coincidence, or is there a school of thought amongst traditionalists (or some traditionalists) that VD is a more accurate term, and STD not? I know that the older term gets its name from the Roman goddess Venus, so I’m wondering if it has to do with the whole Classical worldview that was dominant before the Enlightenment/Protestantism, etc….

It was probably just habit. Nothing more than that. I still say VD. And I am not a “traditionalist”.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

No clue. Maybe it’s because so many of them have doctorates in theology, and the abbreviation you’ll find after their names is for Sacrae Theologiae Doctor…S.T.D.

You beat me to it, Matt!

I would guess that, if these are older gentleman, STD has an entirely different meaning to them.

 

[spangler1982]

How old were the priests? Was it simply a generational term?

One priest was in his mid 50’s, I’d say. I don’t remember the age of the other one.

No clue. Maybe it’s because so many of them have doctorates in theology, and the abbreviation you’ll find after their names is for Sacrae Theologiae Doctor…S.T.D.

yes, I never thought abut the Doctorate in Sacred Theology abbreviation which was the only common meaning loooooonnnggg before that. I think that’s it, well done!