Euphemism


The reputed opinion of sexual intercourse by prim Victorian ladies.

Lord Carruthers dragged me to his bedroom and left me in no doubt I was to suffer a fate worse than death.

The United Kingdom.

Worldwide, but now considered rather old-fashioned and used mainly by the older generation.


Referring to something that is done fully, especially as a euphemism for full sexual activity.

I hear Jill’s parents were away for the weekend so she and Jack took the opportunity to go all the way for the first time.

USA, mid-20th century (with the sexual connotation)

Worldwide.


Someone who enters into an amorous relationship with a much younger person.

Jerry Lee Lewis never really recovered from being labelled a baby snatcher after he married his 13 year old cousin.

Britain.

Worldwide.


Slang term for a homosexuality.

If Julian didn’t want us to know he was batting from the pavilion end he shouldn’t keep wearing those lilac loafers.

Britain, 20th century. An allusion to the game of cricket.


Died, especially in a violent way which may give rise to an insurance claim.

Henry’s parachute failed at 20,000 feet – he really bought the farm.

USA, 20th century.

USA.


Of a man pursuing women.

Jack is a borderline sex addict. He’s certainly always chasing the tail.


women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese in WWII.

The Japanese called their prostitutes comfort women – nothing comfortable for them I think.

WWII


Euphemism for sex.

Julie and Jack have been all over each other all evening and have gone upstairs. I expect they’ll be discussing Uganda.

Britain, 1970s. Popularised in the satirical magazine Private Eye.

Britain.


Euphemism for torture.

The CIA might call water-boarding an enhanced interrogation technique – most people call it torture.

USA, late 20th century.


Please forgive me for swearing.

Bugger – excuse my French.

Britain, mid 20th century.

Britain, mostly by the older generation.


1. A choice forced upon someone. 2. Cockney rhyming slang for voice.

1. There was only one room left in the hotel when we arrived, so we got Hobson’s choice. 2. I’ve had a sore throat for a couple of days – now I’m beginning to lose my hobsons.

Britain, 17th century. Derived from the name of the carrier Thomas Hobson.

Worldwide, although mostly amongst the older generation.


Die.

Grandad kicked the bucket last week. No real surprise – he was 96.

Britain – 18th century.

Worldwide.


Dried banana peel, used as an intoxicant.

He’s tried everything else – grass, acid, speed, magic mushrooms. Now he’s started on mellow yellow.

USA, 1960s. Referred to in the Donovan song of the same name, as ‘electrical banana’.

Worldwide, as the song title although few are aware of the drug connection.


Blonde hair that is turning grey.

Thirty years ago Janine had strawberry blonde hair. These days she’s going grey, or as she prefers to say silver threads among the gold.

Worldwide, but rather old-fashioned.


Jokey term for artificial insemination.

Leaving things to nature hasn’t worked down here on the farm – only 10% of the cows are pregnant. We need a visit from the bull in the bowler hat.

Mostly Britain.


British euphemistic joke.

Autumn is over and these summer clothes aren’t keeping the cold out – winter drawers on I suppose.

Britain, early 20th century. A pun on the expression ‘winter draws on’ (that is, winter is approaching). ‘Drawers’ is a British slang term for knickers.

Britain.

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.