Skip to main content
the p-word

the p-word

9.9
A polite way to avoid saying a rude word that starts with p
  • noun
  • NSFW
translation icon : la palabra p
  • The comedian cleverly referenced the p-word without actually saying it, making the audience laugh.

And so she said, sure, but I do think that the whole I I don't want to say because I want you to get demonetized, but the people the the P, the P word.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • He he he's already in jail this time because he he's basically, you know, I don't know if you say that word on here or whatever, but the P word and.

  • Oh, we can't say adult idiot can't say what I was going to say the P word, but we can't say that put the the adult movie, the orange YouTube.

  • In discussions about sensitive topics, many people prefer to use the p-word to avoid offending others.

  • During the meeting, she avoided using the p-word because it might make some attendees uncomfortable.

Synonyms

dirty word
vsthe p-word
  • NSFW
18 7.1

A word people think is rude or not polite

is a letter-based euphemism aimed at a single offensive term rather than groups
four-letter word
vsthe p-word
  • Offensive
9 7.7

A rude or offensive word with four letters used to show anger

is a letter-based euphemism for one specific offensive term rather than a category
curse word
vsthe p-word
  • Offensive
8 5.8

A rude word people say to show strong anger or surprise

is a letter-based euphemism avoiding one particular offensive word
the b-word
vsthe p-word
  • Offensive
9.9

A polite phrase people use instead of a rude word for a woman

refers specifically to a word beginning with that letter rather than general insults
the w-word
vsthe p-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A polite way to refer to a taboo or offensive word without saying it

refers specifically to a word beginning with that letter rather than other euphemisms
the h-word
vsthe p-word
  • Informal
9.9

A polite way to mention the word hate without saying it

refers specifically to a word beginning with that letter rather than milder language
the c-word
vsthe p-word
  • Offensive
9.9

An indirect way to say a very offensive word for a woman's private parts

refers specifically to a word beginning with that letter rather than broad offensive words
the a-word
vsthe p-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A polite phrase for a rude word that starts with A, for example ass

refers specifically to a word beginning with that letter rather than general crude terms
the f-word
vsthe p-word
  • Offensive
9.9

A polite way to talk about the very rude word 'fuck' without saying it

refers specifically to a word beginning with that letter rather than censored words in general
the t-word
vsthe p-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A polite way to talk about a word or topic that makes people upset

refers specifically to a word beginning with that letter rather than other taboo topics
v-word
vsthe p-word
  • NSFW
9.9

A word people avoid saying because it is rude or about violence

refers specifically to a word beginning with that letter rather than general sensitivity

How Offensive

to slur
  • Offensive
1 7.7
the p-word
  • NSFW
9.9
rude
594 1.0
slang term
  • Slang
2 9.5
manners
248 1.0

Surface Forms

the p-word singular
the p-words plural

Morphology

the + p-word

The form 'p-word' transparently signals a word beginning with the letter 'p' (p + word), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it refers to a particular 'p' word. However, the euphemistic/taboo-avoidance function (that the speaker is deliberately avoiding saying the specific offensive word) is pragmatic and conventional and may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without exposure, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The p-word comes from a simple idea: people say the letter p instead of the full word when the real word is 'rude' or 'sensitive'. So the p-word means 'the word people avoid saying' because it points to that real word without saying it.