The foreskin is the circular flap of skin that covers the glans of the penis. The foreskin is often removed for medical or religious reasons in a process called circumcision. In uncircumcised (or uncut) men, the foreskin can be pulled back to reveal the head of the penis, but if you don’t wash your dick enough there may be a build-up of smegma, colloquially known as “headcheese”, and an accompanying foul odor when this is done.

In the Jewish faith, the foreskin is always removed in a religious ceremony when the child is just 8 days old. Historically, the Jews were a desert dwelling people, and you can just imagine the build-up of dust and sweat and headcheese that would collect under the foreskin after a little while. Eventually, the cheesy dick stink got so bad, the people either had to move out of the desert where there was more water to wash their dicks, or just cut the foreskin off when the boys were babies and try to avoid the problem all together.

In some countries, circumcision is practiced widely regardless of religious affiliation, either for sanitary or aesthetic reasons, though this practice is falling out of favor in secular circles.

1. A circumcised foreskin often looks like a ringlet of calamari, and is chewy, not unlike a soft vinyl pencil eraser. Circumcised foreskins can be used as replacements for finger rings, rubber bands, or decorative belts for mice and other small animals.

2. When not circumcised, a foreskin makes a penis look like it’s trying to hide in the collar of a turtleneck sweater.

RELATED TERMS:

Cut

Glans