the b-word
- noun
- Offensive
:
la palabra con 'b'
- He taught his children not to use the b-word when they are angry.
Examples
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During the interview, she apologized for accidentally saying the b-word.
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She called him the b-word during the argument.
-
Some people avoid using harsh language and say the b-word instead.
-
I can't believe you used the b-word in front of her!
-
Many parents prefer to say the b-word instead of using the actual term in front of their children.
-
When discussing vulgar language, it's common to refer to the b-word as a socially unacceptable term.
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To avoid offending anyone, she used the b-word instead of directly saying the vulgar term.
Synonyms
∞
9.0
An offensive word for a woman who is rude or unpleasant
43
6.0
Words that are rude and upset people, often about religion
18
7.1
A word people think is rude or not polite
8
5.8
A rude word people say to show strong anger or surprise
2
8.6
A rude word people say when they are angry
1
6.1
A rude word that is not for children
1
8.6
A rude word people use when angry or to insult someone
1
7.2
A rude word people say when they are angry or surprised
1
9.2
An offensive or rude word considered inappropriate in polite speech
A rude word about sex or body parts
An insulting word used instead of a more neutral one
Surface Forms
Morphology
the + b-word
The form 'the b-word' transparently signals a euphemistic pattern (letter + 'word') so a learner who knows 'b' and 'word' and sees the context can infer it refers to a taboo/offensive word beginning with B. However, identifying the exact lexical target (e.g. 'bitch') and the taboo status requires cultural/lexical knowledge beyond mere composition, so the relation is only partly predictable.
Etymology
The phrase the b-word comes from the simple idea of saying the letter b plus the word word to avoid saying the rude word 'bitch'. So, people use the b-word as a polite way to refer to that 'offensive' term without saying it.