OXFORD DICTIONARY OF EUPHEMISMS

As lively a guide to the language of evasion, hypocrisy, prudery, and deceit as you could wish for Covers a comprehensive range of subjects, including business and commerce, death, sex, and the human body A-Z organization complemented by a thematic index with short discursive articles Definitions are supported with citations from written sources Widespread coverage of American and British euphemisms, contemporary and traditional New to this edition 14 introductory articles on major themes in euphemistic language, such as business, sex, death, and the human body 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', 'coffee-housing', 'extrajudicial killing'. 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. This book remains the most lively and authoritative guide to the language of evasion, hypocrisy, prudery, and deceit. Readership: General trade; those with an interest in language and humour in language.