EUPHEMANIAOur Love Affair with Euphemisms
by Ralph Keyes
Synopsis
How did die become kick the bucket, underwear become unmentionables, and having an affair become hiking the Appalachian trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy, honor taboos, and make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language.
EUPHEMANIA traces the origins of euphemisms from a tool of the church to a form of gentility to today's instrument of commercial, political, and postmodern
doublespeak.
As much social commentary as a book for word lovers, EUPHEMANIA is a lively and thought-provoking look at the power of words and our power over them.
Learn more about Ralph Keyes on his WEBSITE.
My Review
In polite society (we are polite here aren't we?) there are certain words and terms used to describe bodily functions, sex, etc that we do not like to utter aloud. So what do we do? We could perhaps avoid the subject(s) altogether. But after awhile this could make conversation rather difficult and prevent us from being understood.
Or we could use euphemisms.
While I have heard most of these terms (I did learn some new ones) I had never really thought about how they came into use. To me the most fascinating part was the history behind some of the euphemisms.
This is one of those books you will want to read in a single sitting. If you are a lover of words and the English language you are going to enjoy Euphemania.
You can buy Euphemania HERE
or Win it on The Road to Here!
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to the folks at Hachette Books I have three (3) copies of Euphemania available for giveaway. That means three lucky winners! Since we are still in the holiday season I am going to keep this giveaway as simple as possible.
To enter all you have to do is be a follower of my blog, The Road to Here, and leave one comment telling me why you would like to win a copy of Euphemania.
If your email address is not on your Blogger profile please leave it in the comment.
That's it, one comment = one entry. Quick and simple. Only one comment per person will be counted for the drawing.
This giveaway will end at Midnight Pacific Time on January 6, 2011. At that time I will select 3 winners and email each of them. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or new winners will be selected. Open to US and Canada readers only!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, I was not compensated for my review. All opinions are my own.
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16 comments:
I would like to win a copy of Euphemania because I am an avid reader and would definitely read it and review it, too. Thanks, Judy, for giving me the chance to win!
Great review and giveaway, Judy! Sounds like a great book to read.I'd love to read.Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.Wish you a Happy New Year! xx
it is rare for me to enter a drawing, but on this one, I would love this book. the reason is because I am Sandra Claus Pun Queen of blogland. I had never thought about where all the sayings come frome and this is very intersting.
Oh I would luv to win this book because I like being a know it all with a huge wealth of knowledge!!!!
I would like this book to prove once and for all, to my family, that I don't know (and use) every corny and old euphemisms... I'd love to have some new ones to spring on them!
I would like to be entered to win a copy of this book. I love euphemisms and use them a lot because they make my husband laugh!
My email is: barnyardsandbarnacles(at)live(dot)com.
Thank you :)
☼ Sunny
OH, I'd love a chance at this! I actually google certain phrases to see where they came from; it's one of my favorite things to do-learn the origin of things!
Thanks for the opportunity and you have goodies on my blog today :)
Count me in, Judy!! I love things about origions of words. And I would especially like it because I make several recordings a day for our church prayer and information line. When there are no prayer requests, I am always recording bible riddles, Devotionals, trivia quizzes, word plays and strange historical facts. This would be just perfect forr it. i will likely buy this if I don't wim, it looks very good! Thanks for making the last week of the year so exciting with this giveaway!! My e-mail is: pghart@ntelos.net
Hi J
What a fun book that must have been to review. I would like a copy of Euphemania because I use lots of euphemisms and would like to find out where they originated!!!
Hugs Madi and Mom
Sounds like an interesting book. Throw my name in the hat!
I follow with GFC and would like to win because I've always been fascinated with language and love non-fiction.
dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to enter to win this book because my best friend would love it (so would I, but I could read it and send it to her).
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
ourcopyeditor@gmail.com
I love to read and I love psychology. This book sounds like something I'd love to read and think about. I'm a follower!
WooHoo! This just sounds funny, and I would like ideas. SO is a quiet man, I have to tickle him all the time. Would love to have one of these!
Wow what a fabulous sounding book. It would be great resource for story writing. Happy New Year :O)
I also have a fascination for words. I bet the book is intriguing and one you would want to read in one setting.
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