swag
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:26 AM
Original message |
"Circling the Drain" is a new one on me (warning: insensitive) |
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circling_the_drainThe term "circling the drain" refers to a patient who is on a slow and irreversible downward spiral towards death, but is a long way from finally dying. The phrase is now used in a broader context to apply to a person, institution or era which is clearly unable to reverse a long downward decline. It is used in business to describe business practices that stave off short term cash flow problems but lead to customer alienation. In gambling, particularly poker, the term describes a period where a person is on a long losing streak, or is affected by bad playing habits. The phrase is often abbreviated to CTD.
In a medical context a patient who is "circling the drain" has refused to give up and has a strong will to live. The negative connotations are primarily directed at those who have to attend to the patient, because they may develop excessive attachment, or have families who have falsely raised expectations about eventual recovery. In business, the term refers to projects that are clearly not going to reach completion, but which have not yet been canceled, or to companies that are engaging in self-destructive behavior to stave off insolvency.
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NMMNG
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:28 AM
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1. The medical context is pretty crass, IMO |
GoddessOfGuinness
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:30 AM
Response to Original message |
2. I can understand using it to refer to a business; |
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Edited on Fri Feb-10-06 01:31 AM by GoddessOfGuinness
but to say that of someone who's dying is bloody cold-hearted if you ask me. :beer:
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swag
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:34 AM
Response to Reply #2 |
3. All occupations have their lingos. |
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Edited on Fri Feb-10-06 01:35 AM by swag
Even the medical care professions.
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MadHound
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Fri Feb-10-06 05:50 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
16. Maybe, if taken out of context |
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However this is back room medical professionals only black humor. Much in the same veins as firefighters, police and EMT black humor. It provides an outlet for keeping one's sanity when the shit is hitting the fan, and death is all around.
I worked as a firefighter for a number of years when I was younger. Circling the drain and cripy critters are some of the more tame expressions. You would be appalled at some of what we joked and laughed about. But if we didn't have this sort of outlet, we would quickly go crazy.
This language isn't used around the public, it is strictly an in house deal. Sure, sometimes it slips, but that is rare and the vast majority of the time the families and those concerned don't hear it, thus no harm is done.
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GoddessOfGuinness
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Sat Feb-11-06 12:12 AM
Response to Reply #16 |
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I wonder how those same professionals feel about the term when a loved one is "circling the drain"? I understand the kind of humor; but it needs to be used with exceptional care...beyond avoiding its use around family and friends, I think...
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CaliforniaPeggy
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:39 AM
Response to Original message |
4. I am very familiar with this term, since I worked in hospitals for MANY |
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years.....Critical care units......
As far as I heard, the term actually meant someone who was actively dying, NOT refusing to die.
Of course, we NEVER said it around the families.....that would have shown extreme disrespect.
And believe me when I tell you that in order to keep our sanity in such units, we needed all the humor we could get our hands on.
Even things that might look disrespectful to someone outside the medical/nursing professions.
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swag
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:40 AM
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5. Wow. Good explanation and clarification. |
CaliforniaPeggy
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:46 AM
Response to Reply #5 |
6. You're welcome, my dear swag..... |
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SOME things I do know, and this is one of them....
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tuvor
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:46 AM
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7. M*A*S*H was so ubiquitous not so long ago. |
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It was just a sitcom in the end, but it gave you an opportunity to appreciate the need for black humour.
Geez, you'd think folks here'd be cutting medical workers a little slack here!
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CaliforniaPeggy
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:49 AM
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9. I thank you, my dear tuvor....... |
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For your understanding......:hug:
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supernova
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Fri Feb-10-06 05:44 PM
Response to Reply #7 |
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It might sound crass to someone who hasn't had to work in that arena, but the outlet is necessary, believe me.
I spent four years working in a cancer center with dying patients. I know the drill.
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jpgray
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Fri Feb-10-06 01:47 AM
Response to Original message |
8. It's also an OCD pre-shower ritual |
swag
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Fri Feb-10-06 10:49 AM
Response to Reply #8 |
10. I keep my right big toenail 2 cm longer than the left one |
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and tap the metal rim of the drain thrice with the longer nail to ensure that I get good water with no disaster.
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Richardo
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Fri Feb-10-06 12:49 PM
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swag
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Fri Feb-10-06 05:11 PM
Response to Original message |
12. Kick for Friday afternoon edification. |
libodem
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Fri Feb-10-06 05:18 PM
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is another one but i can't remember what it stands for
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CaliforniaPeggy
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Fri Feb-10-06 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #13 |
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I know this one as well. GOMER: Get Out of My Emergency Room.
It refers to the chronically ill, usually/often elderly folk who frequent ER's....
Any sort of person who is seen as a loser.....medically speaking, of course....
This one I do NOT like...it is not funny to me.
It is to some folks,though....:shrug:
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Kali
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Sat Feb-11-06 12:32 AM
Response to Reply #13 |
21. In animal breeding it is a term meaning a late castrated |
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male used to tease females to check for heat or to help bring into heat.
(or other form of sterile yet ... um, ... active)
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Texasgal
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Sat Feb-11-06 12:14 AM
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and I have worked hospice, I am an RN and have NEVER heard of this term before!
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Whoa_Nelly
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Sat Feb-11-06 12:15 AM
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swag
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Sat Feb-11-06 12:33 AM
Response to Reply #19 |
22. You are correct, sir! |
Whoa_Nelly
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Sat Feb-11-06 12:49 AM
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swag
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Sat Feb-11-06 12:53 AM
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KitchenWitch
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Sat Feb-11-06 12:16 AM
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20. I have heard this one before |
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