The "Male Member" (sometimes 'male organ') is a delicate way to refer to the penis for people who are
grossed out by
street slang (dick, cock, etc.) and who think even "penis" is unnecessarily
graphic.
Even today, there are such people around.
.
"Did you see the graffiti on that
boxcar? The small letter "i" is really the
male member -- the base is the testicles and the
dot over the "i" is ejaculate."
"I must have missed it -- but then, I don't go looking for such things. lol."
.