scatology

[ skuh-tol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the study of or preoccupation with excrement or obscenity.
2. obscenity, especially words or humor referring to excrement.
3. the study of fossil excrement.

scatology

/ skæˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the scientific study of excrement, esp in medicine for diagnostic purposes, and in palaeontology of fossilized excrement
2. obscenity or preoccupation with obscenity, esp in the form of references to excrement

Derived Forms

• scaˈtologist, noun

Other Words From

• scat·o·log·i·cal [skat-l-, oj, -i-k, uh, l], scato·logic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scatology¹

First recorded in 1875–80; scato- + -logy

Example Sentences

Of course, this is all dangerous bovine scatology.

From Salon

His mind swirled with scatology and characters from pulp fiction and the cinema.

From Washington Post

But if you want some fun in your science—and don’t mind a bit of scatology—read on!

From Science Magazine

Yes, there’s a bit of danger and a hint of scatology, but the Greeks are far more ribald.

From Washington Post

I ran this little poetry program in my head again and again, turning out dozens of nonsense limericks, complete with the requisite little-kid scatology.

From The New Yorker