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Why are “normal” bodily functions we all do such taboo topics or exceedingly gross when it’s someone else’s?

Mark Sterling
Mark Sterling
Research Editor · Mar 12, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

It happened through evolution. A lot of germs or viruses can be transmitted through poop or blood or snot and many other things. If they are your own, you do not run much risk since you already have those germs/viruses within you.

146
Words

1 min
Read Time

#26
of 500 in General Knowledge

+115%
vs Category Avg

The Short Answer

It happened through evolution. A lot of germs or viruses can be transmitted through poop or blood or snot and many other things. If they are your own, you do not run much risk since you already have those germs/viruses within you. But from someone else's: that's like playing the lottery. I say it happened through evolution because people who were grossed out by someone else's bodily fluids had less chances of being infected in the rare case these communicated diseases. With time the people who were grossed out had more chances of survival than those who didn't and this became a somewhat common human trait. Now there's the special case of a SO. There again natural selection made you consider your SO's bodily fluids almost as safe as your own, otherwise we would never dare to reproduce. Sexual attraction will trump being grossed out.

Analysis

Key Concepts: Grossed, happened, evolution

This explanation focuses on grossed, happened, evolution and spans 146 words across 9 sentences. At 115% above the average General Knowledge explanation (68 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.

What This Answer Covers

The explanation opens with: “It happened through evolution.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 9 connected points.

How This Compares in General Knowledge

Ranked #26 of 500 General Knowledge questions by answer depth (top 6%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why "normal" bodily functions we all do such taboo topics or exceedingly gross when it's someone else's?

It happened through evolution. A lot of germs or viruses can be transmitted through poop or blood or snot and many other things. If they are your own, you do not run much risk since you already have those germs/viruses within you. But from someone…

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar General Knowledge questions?

This is one of the most thorough answer at 146 words, ranked #26 of 500 General Knowledge questions by depth. The key concepts covered are grossed, happened, evolution.

What approach does this answer take to explain "normal" bodily functions we all do such taboo topics or exc?

The explanation uses root cause analysis and contrasting perspectives across 146 words. It is categorized under General Knowledge and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.