|
|
 #2 (permalink) Sun Jul 16, 2006 20:03 pm Eupemisms |
|
|
Hi Conchita,
What a wealth of expressions you've found. I can only come up with a rather cruel one referring to someone in the world of entertainment who's not very goodlooking. They are described as having a radio face.
Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 13891
Location: UK
|
|
| #3 (permalink) Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:51 am Funny or polite euphemisms |
|
|
| Conchita wrote: |
| [list]- ‘Hair Distribution Technician’ for ‘pet’ |
Hi Conchita
I wouldn't consider things such as "Hair Distribution Technician" to be true euphemisms, but rather simply humor.
There must be thousands of euphemisms in both British English and American English. Even Shakepeare used them:
"shuffled off this mortal coil" = die
Monty Python's Dead Parrot sketch provides an extensive list of euphemisms for "die" (including Shakepeare's):
"E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile!! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!"
I've also heard a rumor that the Brits often "spend a penny". I personally would be more likely to powder my nose.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA
|
 |
| #4 (permalink) Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:48 pm Funny or polite euphemisms |
|
|
There are tons of euphemisms.
Two other ways to tell someone his fly is open (probably the most common where I come from) are, "Your barn door's open," and, "Having company?"
When someone is scratching his derriere, we often point it out to him by saying, "Going to the movies?" Generally, he will stop scratching then, but if he doesn't get the message and says, "No, why?" we tell him, "Because you're already picking your seat."
"I have to wash my hair that night," means, "I won't go on a date with you, you have no chance with me, and never call me again!"
When I was a very small child, if my father said, "See if you can pull a Cadillac out of there for me," I knew he wanted me to stop picking my nose. This was just his own eccentric saying. |
|
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 6552
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA
|
|
|
| Off to Munich (blended learning workshop) | Britishism = Briticism =?Anglicism? = :)John-Bullism:) |
