San Antonio College Library

This study is a linguistic and socio-psychological exploration of a universal human practice. The text argues that euphemisms and dysphemisms demonstrate the poetic inventiveness of ordinary people and reveal a folk culture that has received little attention.

We often use euphemisms when dealing with taboo or sensitive subjects--we speak of "full-figured" women, we "fudge" on our income tax, we get "cold feet" before our wedding. Here, author Holder celebrates this human tendency to use mild, vague, or roundabout expressions rather than those which are blunt, precise, and true. The dictionary provides definitions, examples, as well as historical explanations where appropriate.--From publisher description....