Key Features:
Now in paperback, A Dictionary of Euphemisms: How Not To Say What You Mean is still as lively and shocking as ever
- Contains old favourites such as 'early bath' (dismissal from a game) or 'push up the daisies' (to die), as well as euphemisms from modern times, like 'human sacrifice' (the dismissal of employees) and 'coffee-housing' (cheating at cards)
- Definitions are backed up by examples from real authors, with historical explanations of origins
- Fully comprehensive, it includes euphemisms that are now obsolete ('leaping house' - a brothel, 'nightingale' - a police informer)
- Widespread coverage of American euphemisms as well as British, and the country of origin is stated if not British
Description:
Subtitled How Not To Say What You Mean, this brand new edition of A Dictionary of Euphemisms, now in paperback, is still as lively a guide to the language of evasion, hypocrisy, prudery, and deceit as you could wish for. Definitions include examples from real authors, along with historical explanations of origins, and now obsolete euphemisms like 'leaping house', 'nightingale' are signposted as such. And to prove that the use of euphemisms is not just a British speciality, there is widespread coverage of American euphemisms too: 'English' (pertaining to sexual deviance), 'watermelon' (an indication of pregnancy).
Reviews for previous editions:
'This ingenious collection is not only very funny but extremely instructive too' Iris Murdoch
'Hugely enjoyable and cherishable' Times Educational Supplement
'This (excellent) book is your complete guide to every euphemism you could ever want to know and many you would rather not' Daily Mail
Competition:
Bloomsbury Dictionary of Euphemisms by John Ayto. Published 09/2000 £6.99. Comments: Our main competition, by an excellent author. Slightly different layout - over 3,000 euphemisms presented in contextual essays under such headings as funerals, male genitals, gambling and employment. Ours has a longer history and has sold well over the years.
Ntc Dictionary of Euphemisms by Anne Bertram. Published 07/2000 £9.50. Publisher: National Textbook Company. Comments: Similar layout to ours, with thematic index. Only 2,000 entries.
Now in paperback, A Dictionary of Euphemisms: How Not To Say What You Mean is still as lively and shocking as ever
- Contains old favourites such as 'early bath' (dismissal from a game) or 'push up the daisies' (to die), as well as euphemisms from modern times, like 'human sacrifice' (the dismissal of employees) and 'coffee-housing' (cheating at cards)
- Definitions are backed up by examples from real authors, with historical explanations of origins
- Fully comprehensive, it includes euphemisms that are now obsolete ('leaping house' - a brothel, 'nightingale' - a police informer)
- Widespread coverage of American euphemisms as well as British, and the country of origin is stated if not British
Description:
Subtitled How Not To Say What You Mean, this brand new edition of A Dictionary of Euphemisms, now in paperback, is still as lively a guide to the language of evasion, hypocrisy, prudery, and deceit as you could wish for. Definitions include examples from real authors, along with historical explanations of origins, and now obsolete euphemisms like 'leaping house', 'nightingale' are signposted as such. And to prove that the use of euphemisms is not just a British speciality, there is widespread coverage of American euphemisms too: 'English' (pertaining to sexual deviance), 'watermelon' (an indication of pregnancy).
Reviews for previous editions:
'This ingenious collection is not only very funny but extremely instructive too' Iris Murdoch
'Hugely enjoyable and cherishable' Times Educational Supplement
'This (excellent) book is your complete guide to every euphemism you could ever want to know and many you would rather not' Daily Mail
Competition:
Bloomsbury Dictionary of Euphemisms by John Ayto. Published 09/2000 £6.99. Comments: Our main competition, by an excellent author. Slightly different layout - over 3,000 euphemisms presented in contextual essays under such headings as funerals, male genitals, gambling and employment. Ours has a longer history and has sold well over the years.
Ntc Dictionary of Euphemisms by Anne Bertram. Published 07/2000 £9.50. Publisher: National Textbook Company. Comments: Similar layout to ours, with thematic index. Only 2,000 entries.