Dutch Dictionary Adds Neutral Term for Labia, Sparking Global Conversation

Thu Sep 24 2026 09:21:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Netherlands is updating its dictionary with a new word for labia, aiming to replace stigmatizing language that has long been used in medical and everyday contexts.

A Dutch initiative to rename the labia has replaced the secular term “shame lips” with the anatomically accurate “vulvalippen.” The change reflects a wider movement to rid language of shameful, misogynistic descriptors. Campaigners, including the Schaamteloos group, argue that new terminology would promote body positivity and reduce medical anxiety. The move has prompted similar discussions in Germany, Sweden and the UK, where activists seek precision and de-sexualised language. Though the dictionary inclusion is a milestone, widespread adoption will depend on medical, educational, and cultural uptake.

In a quiet but significant move, the Dutch dictionary publisher Dikke van Dale announced it will add a new word for the labia to its next online edition: vulvalippen. This replaces the older, shame‑laden term schaamlippen, literally “shame lips,” which many have found humiliating.

The decision follows months of campaigning by groups such as the feminist initiative Schaamteloos, which has argued that language shapes perception. “We need neutral, anatomically correct language that does not link bodily parts with shame or judgement,” says campaigner Shari Klein, a founder of the group.

The inclusion in the dictionary is expected to influence medical leaflets, textbooks and everyday speech. Editor Ton den Boon notes that the term has gained traction in media, veterinary notes and youth clinics, and that its official status could encourage doctors to adopt it in practice.

While the Dutch change is a landmark, similar efforts are unfolding across Europe. In Germany, journalists Gunda Windmüller and Mithu Sanyal have petitioned to replace “shamlippen” with “vulvalippen,” and in Sweden, a more accurate word for hymen – slidkrans – debuted in 2009 to counter myths about virginity. In the UK, a feminist podcaster has launched a petition to switch “hysterectomy” to uterectomy for its historical misogynistic connotations.

Language experts caution that new terms must be clear and widely understood. Linguist Dr Beth Malory stresses that ambiguous words can create confusion. “Before we change terminology we must research whether people understand it and whether it truly removes stigma,” she says.

The Dutch campaign already highlights signs that became part of a recent march: slogans like “name it, don’t shame it” and “there are no shame balls” fly above the streets of Utrecht. These public displays signal a societal shift toward acknowledging women’s bodies without judgment.

If the shift takes hold, it could mark a new era where medical and everyday language reflects dignity rather than discomfort. Even if the dictionary entry isn’t quickly adopted everywhere, the conversation it sparks may influence future naming practices and, ultimately, how women feel seen in their own bodies.