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cardinal

jacdac

Senior Member
Lebanese
What does cardinal mean?
Carla and I wanted kids, and we could afford them, but it didn’t happen; she got her visit from the cardinal every month, just as regular as clockwork.
Source: The Bazaar of Bad Dreams by Stephen King

It seems to me to imply her menstruation period ? Is the use of cardinal in this context a common expression ?

Thank you
On this occasion I won't defend King's "imaginative" and "inventive" use of English. It's a bizarre and, to me, repugnant metaphor for menstruation.
I think you're right. It's a variation I've never heard before, presumably based on a Cardinal's red robes.
Considering it's not capitalized, I'm picturing the bird, not the cleric, but otherwise I agree with the meaning. (To me, it seems less repugnant and bizarre than many other metaphors for the same bodily function.)
I've never heard it (and personally, don't care for it or similar euphemisms).

P.S.: It's menstrual period.
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