the w-word
- noun
- NSFW
:
la palabra con w
- During the heated debate, no one dared to say the w-word out loud.
Examples
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The journalist referenced the w-word to highlight ongoing social issues without causing offense.
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Some parents prefer to use the w-word instead of openly discussing it with their children.
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Please don't use the w-word in this discussion.
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The teacher explained why the w-word is inappropriate.
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In the classroom, the teacher advised students to avoid saying the w-word in discussions.
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The documentary addressed the w-word while emphasizing the importance of respectful language.
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Many organizations opt to use the w-word when discussing sensitive topics to maintain a respectful dialogue.
Synonyms
18
7.1
A word people think is rude or not polite
9
7.7
A rude or offensive word with four letters used to show anger
8
5.8
A rude word people say to show strong anger or surprise
1
8.6
A rude word people use when angry or to insult someone
Surface Forms
Morphology
the + w-word
The phrase literally combines a letter label and 'word', so a learner who knows 'w' and 'word' can infer it refers to a word beginning with 'w'. However, recognizing that this is a euphemistic avoidance of a sensitive/taboo term requires pragmatic and cultural knowledge of the English pattern 'the X-word' (e.g. 'the F-word'), so the meaning is partly but not fully derivable from the parts.
Etymology
The w-word comes from a simple practice: people say the first letter (w) plus word instead of saying a 'taboo' word out loud. That's why the w-word is used to talk about that word without actually saying it.