Monday, May 09, 2005
Euphemisms
Calling for Huey: Slang term for vomiting
(Probably of Australian origin)
In an interesting condition: Euphemism for pregnant
(Originated in Victorian England)
Kick the bucket: Die
(The wooden frame that slaughtered animals were hung from is known as a bucket. The death spasms of the animals caused them to kick the bucket)
In the club: Pregnant
(More fully 'In the pudding club'. Pudding = semen)
Like the Dickens: A lot; as in 'hurts like the dickens'
(Nothing to do with Charles Dickens. Dickens is a euphemism for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. Shakespeare used it in 'the Merry Wives of Windsor: 'I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of.')
(Probably of Australian origin)
In an interesting condition: Euphemism for pregnant
(Originated in Victorian England)
Kick the bucket: Die
(The wooden frame that slaughtered animals were hung from is known as a bucket. The death spasms of the animals caused them to kick the bucket)
In the club: Pregnant
(More fully 'In the pudding club'. Pudding = semen)
Like the Dickens: A lot; as in 'hurts like the dickens'
(Nothing to do with Charles Dickens. Dickens is a euphemism for the word devil, possibly via devilkins. Shakespeare used it in 'the Merry Wives of Windsor: 'I cannot tell what the dickens his name is my husband had him of.')
