A Jesus Nut, to most people that would be an overzealous believer. To those who work around helicopters that phrase has a whole new meaning. Most jobs and professions have a language that includes certain words or phrases that pertain specifically to the task at hand.

 

Did you know that many of your favorite stores, amusement parks and even hospitals have a language designed to keep you in the dark about common occurrences?

 

The idea for this narrative was brought about because of a conversation I had with a friend who once worked at a Disney theme park. We were discussing the effects of too much beer and the consequences that often occur when the body chooses to eliminate the beverages orally. My friend referred to this as a "protein spill".

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He said he learned the phrase "protein spill" while working at Disney. The phrase is a code word for puke, vomit, upchuck, you get the idea. The reasoning behind it is classic Disney. The company theorizes that harsh words such as  puke or vomit might make some guests uncomfortable. That is why they choose a more palatable and less conspicuous phrase. You have to admit hearing someone being called to clean a "protein spill" is a lot easier on the ears than "puke clean up next to Space Mountain".

 

Cruise ships also have a lingo all their own. If you are a frequent cruiser you can learn some of the crew lingo just by paying attention. Do you know what a "cone" on a cruise ship is? You know what a cone on the roadway is right? You know what it does? It slows down traffic and causes delays, in cruise ship lingo a cone is you and I. We the passengers are the "cones". I guess we cause the crew to move even slower than they would normally move.

 

Cameron Spencer, Getty Images
Cameron Spencer, Getty Images
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Another cruise ship term you never want to hear is "operation bright star". Operation bright star refers to a serious medical emergency on board. It has nothing to do with heavenly bodies but more to do with dead bodies. A "rising star" is a passenger who has passed away while on board. Think about it, would you want to hear, "dead cone on the lido deck, bring a bag for the body and a bucket for the protein spills".

 

Thinkstock
Thinkstock
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Hospitals and the medical community have their own secret code words they use to keep us from knowing what they are really talking about too. If you hear the term "BMW" and you don't see the doctors car, you're gonna have a bad time. "BMW" stands for bitch, moan and whine and if they are talking about you then you are considered a patient with very little patience. The medical field has way too many cool terms to describe here. If you want to learn more about what your doctors and nurses are really saying about you, click here.

 

 

 

 

self checkout line
David McNew/Getty Images)
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If you've ever been in line at the customer service counter and the slightly suspicious looking fellow in front of you is trying to return merchandise, you can bet the customer service agent will say out loud, "there is something wrong with the computer". This phrase is an alert to store security to scan the returned merchandise and see if was in fact stolen. Rather than alert a would be thief who is trying to return pilfered items for store credit, this phrase allows the loss prevention specialist to build their case against the not yet accused. Then again sometimes the computers don't work too.

 

 

pswansen, flickr
pswansen, flickr
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Have you ever heard a checkout clerk at the grocery store ask for "Bob"? That is a code word to remind checkers to look under the "Bottom Of the Basket". You might also hear them mention LISA. LISA is an acronym for "Look Inside Always". This is often used when customers buy containers or big boxy items. You might also hear the grocery store clerk speak of SAM. SAM means "Scan All Merchandise".

 

 

 

Now you know a lot more than you knew before. Does your office or job have a secret language designed to keep the customer in the dark? If it wouldn't cause too much trouble maybe you could share some of those secret words or phrases with us. It might help us be better customers or patients or thieves if we knew what you were talking about all the time!

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