Not that it has anything (necessarily) to do with codswollop, but it is my opinion that smegma is one of the most inherently ugly words in the English language. I cast no aspersions on the material itself, just the sound of the word.

As to the orinigal word in question I'm amazed that it was first recorded in the 60's....the 1960's. Balderdash, I say. Maybe Venable Bede didn't use it, but surely some character in 12th Night did?