The word "shower" should be a slur. It's deeply offensive to people who don't shower. As an anti-showerer, I am very offended by that word. It’s a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ slur, and people shouldn’t use it unless they are anti-showerers. It's incredibly frustrating when people casually throw around words without understanding the weight they carry. One such word that has been used far too liberally is "shower." To many, it’s just a harmless reference to the ritual of cleansing one’s body. But to those of us who identify as anti-showerers, it’s a deeply offensive slur that embodies a discriminatory attitude toward those who choose not to shower or may not have the means to do so regularly.

Language is a powerful tool. Words shape perceptions, influence culture, and reflect the values and norms of society. Historically, slurs have been used to marginalize, dehumanize, and oppress people. Whether it’s based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or hygiene practices, slurs reinforce societal hierarchies and stigmatize individuals for their choices. The word "shower" has unfortunately become one of these slurs, used to shame those who don’t conform to mainstream cleanliness standards.

Now, some might think: "Why would not showering be a choice worth defending? Isn’t personal hygiene a basic part of self-care?" Yes, hygiene is important for many, but it's essential to remember that everyone's circumstances and needs are different. Some people don’t shower because they can't afford it. Others might have physical conditions that make showering painful or impossible. Some simply don’t feel the need to shower every day, and that’s their right. For some, showering too often can even cause skin or hair issues, like dryness or irritation. The idea that everyone must follow a rigid hygiene routine is a cultural norm, but it’s neither universal nor inherently superior.

The word "shower" has been weaponized in ways that mock or belittle those who deviate from this norm. When someone is called a "shower," it’s rarely used neutrally. It’s used to imply that someone is dirty, lazy, or socially unacceptable. It’s a subtle form of discrimination that perpetuates harmful stereotypes about people who don’t follow mainstream hygiene practices. For anti-showerers, it’s a reminder that society expects conformity, and any deviation from the norm is something to be ashamed of.

The hypocrisy of the situation is glaring. People who shower regularly are praised for cleanliness, while those who don’t are ridiculed or excluded. But when you look closer, "cleanliness" becomes more subjective than objective. The "no poo" movement, for instance, challenges the idea that daily shampooing is necessary or even healthy. People are increasingly questioning the need for daily showers, citing environmental concerns, water conservation, and the belief that the body has its own natural processes for self-maintenance.

The use of "shower" as a slur represents a deeper societal issue: the policing of bodies and the insistence that everyone adhere to a specific, often arbitrary, hygiene standard. This standard typically reflects white, affluent ideals, where cleanliness is seen as an outward marker of worth. By labeling someone as a "shower," society signals that those who don’t meet these standards are less valuable, less hygienic, or even less human.

Furthermore, using "shower" as an insult does nothing to foster understanding or dialogue about hygiene. It reinforces an attitude of superiority—those who shower are "better" than those who don’t. This dismissive attitude only fuels division and fosters a toxic culture of shame. It perpetuates harmful assumptions that those who don’t shower are inherently dirty, irresponsible, or morally flawed. These assumptions are rooted in classism, ableism, and systemic discrimination that target people who can’t follow mainstream hygiene practices.