Ralph Keyes takes the reader through time, customs and cultures to point out that the way we use language tells us of our fears. Although the first half of the book seemed to focus on sex and potty talk, the rest of it went on to politics, religion and our social bias. Learning the words we refuse to speak, shows us the subjects in life we are either afraid of or uncomfortable with. Whereas it used to be the gods/God, and sex, now it has moved on to being judged by those around us for our political/social views. The dance with words points that out.
This was a fascinating book for me. I had never thought that much about euphemisms before. When I thought I was being very modern and straightforward teaching my children the "real" names for their body parts, all I was doing was teaching them the Latin euphemisms! I am left to wonder though, if there are any "real" names for these things. ( )

Always fascinating, frequently amusing, occasionally hilarious. ( )

This is a discussion of euphemisms. It is a interesting topic for anyone interested in language and its use. There are chapters such as "Sex", "Body Parts", "Excretions", and "Death." While the author does a good job and the topic is interesting, it sometimes gets tedious. I would not recommend sitting down and reading it right through. It would be a great book to pick up and read parts in between other books. If you read it, you will find out things such as where the expression "bought the farm" came from. It was interesting to learn how an euphemism may be built on another euphemism and upon another to the point where the original term is not known. ( )

After reading this book, I'll never describe a beverage as fizzy again. Word fans should own it for the bibliography alone! Euphemisms explained, explored and celebrated. There are entries, however, where euphemisms are merely recorded, but the origin (or even explanation for the unimaginative) is not. Sources for the book range from 16th century English dictionaries to interviews with today's combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. ( )

Euphemania: Our Love Affair With Euphemisms by Ralph Keyes
Published by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-05656-4
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (from back of book): An entertaining look at euphemisms-where they come from, why we need them, and what they tell us about who we are.
How did "die" become kick the bucket, "underwear" become unmentionables, and "having an affair" become hiking the Appalachian Trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy and taboos and to make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. Euphemania traces the evolution of euphemisms from tools of the church to expressions 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.
My Thoughts and Opinion: Just in time for the holidays. This book is informative, filled with trivia and a fun read. I found it to be quite interesting as to where and how certain terms came in to being such as "a loose cannon" (pg 193), "bookworm"(pg 228) "under the weather"(pg 124) and so many more. This book is perfect for those that enjoy trivia, history of the English language and the origin of certain phrases. I will never look at a chocolate chip cookie the same way again (page 111). Just in time for the holidays, this book should be on one's Christmas list, for yourself or someone you know.
My Rating: 4 ( )