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The term four-letter word serves as a euphemism for words that are often considered profane or offensive.. The designation "four-letter" arises from the observation that many (though not all) popular or slang terms related to excretory functions, sexual activity, genitalia, blasphemies, and terms linked to Hell or damnation are incidentally four-character monosyllables.
A euphemism (/ ˈ juː f ə m ɪ z əm / YOO-fə-miz-əm) is an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that is deemed offensive or suggests something unpleasant. [1] Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the user wishes to downplay.
a thief in darkness, a glorious statement and its strong foundation. The thieving stranger was not a whit more wise that he swallowed those words. A moth ate words. I thought that was a marvelous fate, that the worm, a thief in the dark, should eat a man's words — a brilliant statement, its foundation strong.
A euphemism for dying or death: put a spoke in one's wheel To disrupt, foil, or cause problems to one's plan, activity, or project. [69] put on airs: An English language idiom and a colloquial phrase meant to describe a person who acts superior, or one who behaves as if they are more important than others. [70] put the cat among the pigeons
A euphemism is a mild, indirect, or vague term substituting for a harsher, blunter, or more offensive term.. It may also substitute a description of something or someone to avoid revealing secret, holy, or sacred names to the uninitiated, or to obscure the identity of the subject of a conversation from potential eavesdroppers.
Notes Works cited References External links 0-9 S.S. Kresge Lunch Counter and Soda Fountain, about 1920 86 Main article: 86 1. Soda-counter term meaning an item was no longer available 2. "Eighty-six" means to discard, eliminate, or deny service A A-1 First class abe's cabe 1. Five dollar bill 2. See fin, a fiver, half a sawbuck absent treatment Engaging in dance with a cautious partner ab-so ...
It is used as a euphemism or circumlocution meaning a lie, an untruth, or a substantially correct but technically inaccurate statement. Churchill first used the phrase following the 1906 election . Speaking in the House of Commons on 22 February 1906 as Under-Secretary of the Colonial Office , he had occasion to repeat what he had said during ...
British English meanings Meanings common to British and American English American English meanings daddy longlegs, daddy-long-legs crane fly: daddy long-legs spider: Opiliones: dead (of a cup, glass, bottle or cigarette) empty, finished with very, extremely ("dead good", "dead heavy", "dead rich") deceased