Home » Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

Discussion Forum (Archived)

Please consider registering
Guest
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Min search length: 3 characters / Max search length: 84 characters
The forums are currently locked and only available for read only access
sp_TopicIcon
Shedload
Guest
1
2014/04/09 - 9:52am

I just read an article that contained a quote that in turn contained the word shedload:
Discovery.com Mystery light on Mars

It was a new word for me. I probably won't use it in speaking -- it is too likely to be completely misunderstood as the very close shitload. But in writing, I may. It has the precise meaning of shitload, and probably is a euphemism for it.
Oxford entry for shedload

Still one could convince oneself that it simply means a truckload.

Wait, is truckload a euphemism for ... ? Nah!

Guest
2
2014/04/09 - 10:32am

I have no doubt "shedload" was being used there as a euphemism for "shitload," although "shedload" and "truckload" could be used to literally quantify an amount. For example, "They delivered a truckload of pallets to the dock." Or "He had a shedload of fertilizer in his back yard." Wait a minute ...

George Carlin had a great routine about euphemisms. Don't recall it verbatim, but it went something like this: When someone acts really strange, they say "He went bananas!" But then I also hear "He went apeshit!" That's when it hit me ... apeshit IS bananas.

 

Guest
3
2014/04/09 - 3:11pm

I live in a very small seaport town, but when I heard a very proper lady use the term "shipload," that wasn't her point of reference.

deaconB
744 Posts
(Offline)
4
2014/04/10 - 3:32am

I suppose that a honey wagon could be termed a dump truck?

Forum Timezone: UTC -7
Show Stats
Administrators:
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Moderators:
Grant Barrett
Top Posters:
Newest Members:
A Conversation with Dr Astein Osei
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 1
Topics: 3647
Posts: 18912

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 618
Members: 1268
Moderators: 1
Admins: 2
Most Users Ever Online: 1147
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 112
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)

Recent posts