Hey all! I'm new to the forum so forgive me if this topic has been covered before.
I remember a few podcasts back that there was a discussion about the "F-word" and of course everyone fluent in English is aware of the word being referenced. I started to think about other words that were referenced in this way and almost instantly came up with the "N-word".
After about 2 months, the only other example I can think of is the "L-word" which I believe was a television show some time ago. I never watched the show although I remember it fluttering near my consciousness when I channel surfed. I always assumed it either referred to lesbian or liberal but never bothered to watch the show or unearth the meaning.
Anyway, this all got me wondering about words that are deemed so offensive or hostile that we reference them only by the first letter. Any other examples in English? And I would especially like to hear about examples in other languages.
I suppose in any given context, there will be "unspoken" words like this. In my stodgy old Presbyterian church, our pastor has taken to speaking of "the E-word," because none of the members want to hear him talk about evangelism.
Offhand, though, I can't think of any others that are widely understood, other than the ones you cite.
I think that "M-word" (marriage) is pretty common among singles.
A family letter-word is "V-word", or just "V", because of my wife's sensitivity to the word "vomit".
Glenn said:
A family letter-word is “V-wordâ€, or just “Vâ€, because of my wife's sensitivity to the word “vomitâ€.
Does she have a problem with “vomitorium?†(It actually isn't what it sounds like.)
I've never seen any of it, ternce, but I do believe that The L Word is a show about lesbians.
Without asking (even I am not that dumb) I will say that “vomitorium†is verboten. Other euphamisms are also unwelcome, but her reaction is not as visceral as with the “V-word.â€