A term coined by Michael Stevens of Vsauce, Boil-o is an invisible, undetectable, unverifiable/unfalsifiable substance that appears whenever things begin to boil. While, yes, the phenomenon of boiling is perfectly explained without Boil-o, Boil-o is still there.
Boil-o is used as an example of redundancy. If a phenomena is perfectly explained without something, why include the something?
Boil-o is used as an example of redundancy. If a phenomena is perfectly explained without something, why include the something?
"Johnny: Yo man, I'm cooking up some pasta, you want some?
Mike: Yeah, sure, just start boiling the water.
Johnny: Don't you mean "apply BOIL-O to the water?"
Mike: For fucks sake, John, I don't want to get into this philosophy shit, it's been a long day, just- just tell me when you're done, alright?
Johnny: Jeez man, fine, I'll tell you when it's done.
Mike: Thank you.
Mike: Yeah, sure, just start boiling the water.
Johnny: Don't you mean "apply BOIL-O to the water?"
Mike: For fucks sake, John, I don't want to get into this philosophy shit, it's been a long day, just- just tell me when you're done, alright?
Johnny: Jeez man, fine, I'll tell you when it's done.
Mike: Thank you.
by Hexiliac June 8, 2022

If something has done something truly stupid and uncalled for, like setting a church with people inside on fire, you'd say.
"OH MAH GAWD, FREDDY! DARN IT, THAT'S LIKE BOILING FLOWERS IN THE WING!"
"OH MAH GAWD, FREDDY! DARN IT, THAT'S LIKE BOILING FLOWERS IN THE WING!"
by bridget February 6, 2004

by Fireislandlovestories June 15, 2022

-How are you going to store the food?
-I'll throw it in the freezer, give it the good ol Alaskan Boil
-I'll throw it in the freezer, give it the good ol Alaskan Boil
by Lou Sassol December 6, 2022

Imagine you have a pimple.
Now, imagine it's huge and sensitive; so sensitive that if even your clothes brush against it, it hurts like a motherfucker. (If you actually hit it against something, nobody will blame you for screaming, swearing, and/or crying.)
Next, imagine that it takes several days of constantly attacking it before it finally stops hurting and starts to shrink. Also, you have to wait until it becomes vulnerable and occasionally take breaks even then.
Then, imagine that it can and will appear only in places where it's easy to aggravate. If one appear in your groin area, or - even better (not) - ON YOUR PRIVATES, buckle up, because it's gonna be miserable.
Next, imagine that when it's finally on the way out, it may still take another week to fully disappear. And even then, there's a good chance that more will show up unless you do take action.
And just like that, you have a boil. Fun, isn't it? (No, it's not.)
Now, imagine it's huge and sensitive; so sensitive that if even your clothes brush against it, it hurts like a motherfucker. (If you actually hit it against something, nobody will blame you for screaming, swearing, and/or crying.)
Next, imagine that it takes several days of constantly attacking it before it finally stops hurting and starts to shrink. Also, you have to wait until it becomes vulnerable and occasionally take breaks even then.
Then, imagine that it can and will appear only in places where it's easy to aggravate. If one appear in your groin area, or - even better (not) - ON YOUR PRIVATES, buckle up, because it's gonna be miserable.
Next, imagine that when it's finally on the way out, it may still take another week to fully disappear. And even then, there's a good chance that more will show up unless you do take action.
And just like that, you have a boil. Fun, isn't it? (No, it's not.)
by Ubeenbamboozledson June 11, 2024

by Wonnmeister November 20, 2021

by Lewisg June 22, 2025
