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Euphemisms, Slang, Noun Pairs
Euphemisms, Slang, Noun Pairs
2011-2012
CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION
It's no good. I can't hold it in. I shall have to spend a penny (i.e. urinate).
We keep the adult (i.e pornographic) magazines on the top shelf and the adult videos
under the counter.
You know that we're in the middle of a rightsizing exercise (i.e. compulsory
redundancy programme). We have no alternative but to let you go (i.e. sack you).
Many of the outlying villages suffered collateral damage (i.e. civilian deaths).
Spend a penny derives from the days when there were door locks on the outside of cubicles
in public lavatories which could only be opened by inserting one old penny into the lock. This
was not just the pre-euro era. It was the pre-decimal era. The expression is still in frequent
use today.
Collateral damage is unintended damage and civilian casualities and deaths caused by the
dropping of bombs in the course of a military operation. The term is of US origin and was first
used to describe deaths in the Vietnam War, then in the Gulf War, then in the action
(euphemism!) in Serbia at the end of the 1990s and most recently in Afghanistan.
http://www.ihbristol.com/expressions/example/euphemisms/7
http://www.ihbristol.com/learn-online/useful-expressions/intermediate/euphemisms/94/
Have a look at the following euphemisms and see if you can explain them
Underground English School
undergroundlabisbal@gmail.com
English Course
2011-2012
SENIOR CITIZEN
LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
SUBSTANCE ABUSER
The following sentences are very direct. Replace the parts in italics with euphemisms
He's fat and ugly
I'm going to vomit
She's a terrible cook
This work is very careless
Replace the euphemisms in the following sentences with more simple direct words or phrases
a/your representative was not entirely accurate in what he said
b/ the talks were not very fruitful
c/ he doesn't have a very good record of punctuality
d/ the state have an obligation to assist the less privileged members of the community
e/the estate agent says the house needs some attention
f/ your product is not of the highest quality
g/ we look forward to prompt settlement of your account
h/ mr. West has shown insufficient effort in the execution of his duties
i/ I'm afraid Mrs. Wild passed away last night
j/ we had to have our dog put to sleep
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/specials/2011/04/110426_press_freedom_quiz.s
html
undergroundlabisbal@gmail.com
English Course
2011-2012
undergroundlabisbal@gmail.com
English Course
2011-2012
undergroundlabisbal@gmail.com
English Course
2011-2012
Slang
Slang consists of very informal expressions or words which normally feature in speech rather
than writing and are used by people who know each other well or who have the same jobs,
backgrounds or interests. They often relate to sex, drink, drugs, relationships, social groups,
etc. They are often fairly strong in emotive terms and may sometimes be found offensive to
people outside the group. Have a look at some of the slang expressions on our Talk Lingo
pages. Here are some more expressions:
Big bucks denotes a large amount of money (bucks are dollars), chickenfeed is small change. Knees-up = party,
my ex = former boyfriend or girlfriend. Absolutely bonkers is very crazy or unpredictable. Booze is alcohol, just as
a boozer is a pub or someone who drinks a lot of alcohol.
If you are exposed to slang expressions in your learning of English, it is important for you to
understand their meaning and the emotive force behind them. It may be less appropriate for
you to use them if you are not part of that group. In fact, it may sound strange and
inappropriate if you do so. Also slang changes very quickly.
undergroundlabisbal@gmail.com
English Course
2011-2012
Wicked!
What'll we do tomorrow?
A common way of making slangs is by using short forms or loosely pronounced forms of ordinary
words. Can you work out the meanings of the following words?
Let's have brekkie
he's a brickie
undergroundlabisbal@gmail.com
English Course
2011-2012
undergroundlabisbal@gmail.com
English Course
2011-2012
undergroundlabisbal@gmail.com