I have a new favorite insult

Do you know what it is?  It is "purulent bubo".  As in, "you purulent bubo!" or "don't be such a purulent bubo, Frank".  (I don't know anyone named Frank, but maybe you do.)

I have no idea if buboes are strictly a plaguely phenomenon.  There's a lot I don't know about buboes, and about pus.  Maybe I shouldn't call people purulent buboes until I'm better informed.

This is a list of countries in which the bubonic plague still occurs: Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Zaire, Botswana, Uganda, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, the US, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Burma.  I found it here.  I make no claims as to its accuracy except that I already knew it's still in the US of A, in, for instance, the Rockies.

I hope you have enjoyed this post.

Comments

[eb]

It's also in the sierras in California.

I find it very annoying that my institution's library does not get me the online edition of the LRB.

[dave zacuto]

I think you can have buboes without the plague.

[rone]

I was pretty disappointed to find out there's no difference between a furuncle and a carbuncle.

[ben wolfson]

The etymology for "furuncle" is kind of funny: "Latin furunculus petty thief, boil". Ah, yes. That petty thief and/or boil.

[Michael]

I do indeed know a Frank, and he is indeed a purulent bubo! Don't ever let anyone tell you you're not a genius.