Author: Richard A. Spears
Publisher: Signet Book
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 516

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Book Description

Author: Richard A. Spears
Publisher: Signet Book
ISBN: 9780451149794
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 448

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Book Description

Author: R. W. Holder
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199235171
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 430

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Book Description
This is a study of the language of evasion, hypocrisy, prudery and deceit. It dissects the human tendency to prefer vague, roundabout expressions rather than use words which are precise and disagreeably true.

Author: R. W. Holder
Publisher: 교보문고
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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Book Description
We all use euphemisms every day. We speak of "full-figured" women. We "fudge" on our income tax. We step lively to avoid "horse apples"--and step even livelier in the grip of the "Aztec Two-step." We say that the dead have "bit the dust" or have been "promoted to glory." Now, in A Dictionary of Euphemisms, Revised Edition, R. W. Holder gives us an engaging volume that celebrates this human tendency to use mild, vague or roundabout expressions rather than those which are blunt, precise, and disagreeably true. Here are thousands of entertaining and informative entries that range from long-established circumlocutions such as "everlasting life," "the Grim Reaper," "powder room," and "house of ill repute," to recent coinages such as "odorously challenged" (smelly), "corporate entertainment" (bribery), "AMW - actress, model, whatever" (prostitute), "downsizing" (laying off workers), and "white-knuckler" (a commercial flight on a small aircraft). Arranged in alphabetical order, the Dictionary gives definitions, examples from real authors, and historical explanations where appropriate. Holder also includes an extensive bibliography and, equally important, a Thematic Index, so that readers can look up euphemistic words and expressions for Death, Mental Illness, Narcotics, Obesity, Poverty, and other topics. A Dictionary of Euphemisms is a browser's delight and an essential reference book for all lovers of language. Readers will find in it a captivating guide to the art of not saying what we mean.

Author: Hugh Rawson
Publisher: Crown
ISBN:
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 488

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Book Description
This is the perennially popular, witty and entertaining guidebook to thousands of linguistic fig leaves and intentionally vague terms that we all say, write and read every day to cushion the real meaning of what is intended--from Victorian examples like "delicate condition" to relatively recent inventions like "massage parlor" and "covert operation".

Author: Hugh Rawson
Publisher: New York : Crown
ISBN:
Category : English language
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
Lists and defines euphemisms and includes many examples of usage.

Author: Judith S. Neaman
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 390

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Book Description

Author: R. W. Holder
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN:
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 440

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Book Description
This brand new edition celebrating 20 years of R. W. Holder's popular and successful dictionary of euphemisms is packed full of traditional favourites, such as 'Dutch uncle' or 'push up the daisies', as well as euphemisms from the contemporary world such as 'restructuring' and 'extrajudicialkilling'. Definitions include examples from real authors, along with entertaining explanations of their origins. To prove that the use of euphemisms is not just a British speciality, there is widespread coverage of American euphemisms, too: for example, 'English' (pertaining to sexual deviance) and'watermelon' (an indication of pregnancy). The A-Z organization of the text is complemented by a thematic index with short introductory articles on fruitful areas of euphemistic language such as business, sex, death, and the human body. How Not To Say What You Mean remains the most lively andauthoritative guide to the language of evasion, hyprocrisy, prudery, and deceit.

Author: Anne Bertram
Publisher: NTC
ISBN: 9780844208435
Category : English language
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
This practical guide to unraveling euphemisms will be especially useful for those studying English and for writers, sociologists, and psychologists, as well as anyone interested in words or the English language in general.

Author: Ralph Keyes
Publisher: Little, Brown Spark
ISBN: 0316121959
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
How did die become kick the bucket, underwear become unmentionables, and having an affair become hiking the Appalachian trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy, honor taboos, and make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. Euphemania traces the origins of euphemisms from a tool of the church to a form of gentility to today's instrument of commercial, political, and postmodern doublespeak. As much social commentary as a book for word lovers, Euphemania is a lively and thought-provoking look at the power of words and our power over them.