English euphemisms
#1
English euphemisms
My Spanish teacher and I were talking about the fact that the Spanish are very direct about saying they are going to the toilet and what they are going to do there whereas the English have a history of euphemisms. I wondered whether this varies from one area of the UK to another.
My uncle always said that he was going to Point Percy at the porcelain and one of my friends always said that she was going to twinkle.
Rosemary
My uncle always said that he was going to Point Percy at the porcelain and one of my friends always said that she was going to twinkle.
Rosemary
#2
Re: English euphemisms
I suppose 'toilet' is in fact a euphemism anyway.
An example of euphemism inflation.
I say that I am "going to see a man about a dog"
An example of euphemism inflation.
I say that I am "going to see a man about a dog"
#3
Re: English euphemisms
My Irish Grandaddy sometimes said that he was "going for a pony and trap."
When I was a bit older I thought it might have been Cockney, but they never went to London and ended up in Yorkshire ... so who knows?
Going for a twinkle is not new to me and people also said "spend a penny".
When I was a bit older I thought it might have been Cockney, but they never went to London and ended up in Yorkshire ... so who knows?
Going for a twinkle is not new to me and people also said "spend a penny".
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: English euphemisms
It's probably just because you don't know the Spanish ones, they have plenty the same as us. It's quite common to say simply voy al baño.
Talking of porcelain, they say "voy a visitar al señor Roca". Cambiar el agua al canario, I´ve heard. There are loads of them, some of them quite rude as would be expected.
Talking of porcelain, they say "voy a visitar al señor Roca". Cambiar el agua al canario, I´ve heard. There are loads of them, some of them quite rude as would be expected.
#5
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: English euphemisms
I usually have to go see my arab friend..........
mustafa ....
`
mustafa ....
`
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 985
Re: English euphemisms
My dog is alert to a few key words. 'Whizz' means to go outside for a pee (it's all right... we live in the country). He wouldn't understand any of the others mentioned above.
#7
Re: English euphemisms
My dad goes for a tinkle (not twinkle), my mum "powders her nose" and I just go for a pee. Wish I could think of something more poetic without sounding daft - perhaps we've lost something along the way!
#8
Re: English euphemisms
In the Army we said "going to give birth to an ASM(Artificer Sergeant Major)" or officer etc, even back home in Uk it was used but the name for our local/regional rivals was inserted instead...not literally I hasten to add
#9
Re: English euphemisms
The most common expression when I was young was 'going to shake hands with Nelson'.
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,878
Re: English euphemisms
All Scottish probably, tinkle, tiddle, widdle, piddle, ben the lobby, through the hoose, little girls room, wee hoose. I think I mostly use, comfort break, comfort stop, use the facilities :-) ( posh days) and I need a pee/wee when needs MUST
Edited to add .... hahaha shakedhands with my best friend I heard a lot
Edited to add .... hahaha shakedhands with my best friend I heard a lot
#11
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: English euphemisms
One I heard in Spain years ago was - voy a cambiar el aceite.
The use of the word dunny is considered very rude by some Aussies and is common parlance with others.
Shaking hands with the unemployed is one, as is, I'm off to strain 't' greens.
The use of the word dunny is considered very rude by some Aussies and is common parlance with others.
Shaking hands with the unemployed is one, as is, I'm off to strain 't' greens.
#12
Re: English euphemisms
Another couple are: Syphon the python and on the "shake hands" theme, shake hands with the bairns father
edit: and "shake the snake"
edit: and "shake the snake"
Last edited by Richie1892; Nov 21st 2012 at 11:46 am.
#14
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: English euphemisms
#15
Re: English euphemisms
LOL! I had a temp job as a receptionist once and part of the HR "training" was never to say "so-and-so has just gone to the loo" (as if I would!!), but instead to say "he's not at his desk right now".