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Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Vote for the best euphemism
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ve had a week of entries for our Best Euphemism Contest, if we define “euphemism” as meaning all sorts of colorful expressions. We had euphemisms, sarcasm, metaphors and various turns of phrase.
To everyone who entered, bless your hearts.
Anyway, here are a few that stuck out for me, and they cover a variety of approaches. Please vote for your favorite among the following. Remember, the winner gets my copy of “How Not To Say What You Mean: A Dictionary of Euphemisms,” by R. W. Holder. We’ll keep voting open through Friday noon, because I don’t think I’m going to be overwhelmed with votes. But you never know.
Which is the Best Euphemism?
Eclectic (meaning incomprehensible)
Temporarily unavailable (meaning We can’t be bothered, go away)
A couple Skittles short of a rainbow (meaning stupid)
She is really nice (meaning she is fat)
A few fries short of a Happy Meal (meaning stupid)
She’s a hard worker and tried hard (meaning your child is so dumb if breathing weren’t involuntary she’d suffocate)
Pursuing other opportunities (meaning fired)
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