A Dictionary of Euphemisms (Oxford Paperback Reference)

Cool means: low temperature. Or does it mean that's fine? Or suave? Or relaxed? "Oxford Dictionary of Euphemisms: How Not To Say What You Mean" is an adventure in the English language outlining the countless words in the English language that have so many meanings thanks to changing times and slang, that it's hard for even a native speaker to stay on top of the changes. "Oxford Dictionary of Euphemisms" is a must for anyone who speaks English or is trying to learn when everyone else is barely speaking it to begin with.

This book is a good addition to other references for the English language. However, it is, primarily, British in tone and in the material included. Also, some American non-sexual but illicit meanings seem to have entirely escaped the authors. Finally, there is a slight tendency toward prissiness in definitions in some areas where an American might give an even blunter definition.

This is a fun book. I like to bandy about some of these phrases and watch the reaction. Words are important and when you use phrases people are not used to hearing, well, you get their attention.

Author, R. W. Holder holds fast to two tests of a euphemism: 1) It must be a substitute for blunt precision or disagreeable truth 2) That a euphemism once meant, or still does mean, something else entirely different. In short, a way to be politically correct. A softer, kinder, way of speech so to speak.

In this work of almost 500 pages, we learn the art of not saying what we mean. Some are almost common language now. Such as "bowel movement", "working girl", "Native American" and "downsizing". Newer ones include, "white knuckler" and "vertically challenged" ( a nice way to say your boss is short)

I enjoy the way this is cross indexed and arranged. I did notice that a great percentage of the material is British. I wonder if that means the Brits are very good at "mums the word"? Seriously, I downrated the review a bit due to that fact.

Filled with thousands of of quotations, definitions, derivations, and historical explanations, this dictionary is extremely comprehensive for perusing.

A good editon for reference collections.

-CDS-