When I was in college, "merkin" was what the gothy-artsy chicks would mention in conversation to make those not-in-the-know look confused, and make those who were familiar with the term giggle and blush. We were all totally grown-ups, I know. Anyhow, merkins aren't just a anti-plague mechanism anymore: merkins show up in films because actresses are shaved as clean as the day they were born for some stupid reason. Like when they were cast they didn't know there would be a nude scene? Stay away from the brazilian-wax salon for a month, for crying out loud. Actors gain weight and workout to fit their characters bodytype all the time, you divas can life with being bushy for a while. Merkins - bah!