This term is a
euphemism for male
masturbation, created in honor of
United States Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders (the female counterpart is called
Joycelyn Eldering).
Elders was appointed by
Bill Clinton in 1993, and she was a key advocate of his
ill-fated plan for national
health coverage. However, she also spoke in favor of honest, positive
sex education for children. She
explicitly stated that she thought schools should teach masturbation as a pleasurable and harmless act, and a good
alternative to emotionally and physically dangerous youthful
sex. America's
puritanical masturbation
taboo was so strong that Clinton felt the need to fire her, terminating her appointment after 15 months of service.