Thankfully, this lingo isn't used regularly in health-care settings, but an unflattering comment may occasionally slip out during a particularly frustrating situation. Decipher some of the more shocking slang here.
Outrageous Hospital Lingo That Doctors and Nurses Use Behind Your Back
Updated Feb. 24, 2021
Frequent flier
A repeat customer to the ER, often a patient with chronic medical problems who can’t afford to go anywhere else. Don’t miss these 50 things hospitals aren’t telling you.
Weekend syndrome
When doctors covering for a colleague on the weekend won’t make important decisions, particularly end-of-life ones.
Code brown
A bed full of excrement. “Got a Code Brown in 214.” Here’s what nurses secretly think about you (but won’t say to your face).
Crump
To go downhill quickly or die. “The patient in 3 crumped last night.”
GOMER
Short for “get out of my emergency room” (aka a patient you dread). Don’t miss these other secrets ER doctors won’t tell you.
Acute lead poisoning
Gunshot wound
PITA
Pain in the a$$
FLK
Funny-looking kid
FABIANS
Felt awful but I’m all right now syndrome
PMS
Poor miserable soul
DINK
Patient who “did not keep appointment.” Think that’s frustrating for health care professionals? Check out the most annoying things patients do, according to doctors.
D&D
Divorced & Desperate (middle-age female who visits doctor weekly for male attention)
HIBGIA
Had it before, got it again.
HONDA
Hypertensive obese noncompliant diabetic adult
LOLINAD
Little old lady in no apparent distress. For more insider secrets from the medical profession, check out these emergency room stories that are almost too crazy to be true.
