Misused: Unusual Euphemism

Deadlock Clock: Feb 4th 2014 at 11:59:00 PM

kjnoren Since: Feb, 2011

#1: Dec 31st 2013 at 11:33:27 AM

From the first paragraph of the definition and the trope image, this trope is about speaking roundaboutly about an issue that is embarrasing or maybe of questionably legality.

However, the example section is huge, and covers a wide range of ersatz expletives.

Right now, UnusualExpletive is in YKTTW, and that can be used to split off a lot of the misuse.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu

#2: Dec 31st 2013 at 12:19:53 PM

Personally, I think that "ersatz expletive" fits into the definition of "embarassing issue".

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

kjnoren Since: Feb, 2011

#3: Dec 31st 2013 at 1:08:50 PM

I'm going to paste in what I wrote earlier in the YKTTW:

Yes, there are examples where an euphemism is used as an expletive. But the two play fundamentally different roles in language.

Expletive:

a word that contributes nothing to meaning but suggests the strength of feeling of the speaker
a word or expression that is strongly impolite or offensive

Euphemism: a generally innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant.

and

They are different within the work, ie the characters have different relations to the word.

An Unusual Euphemism is used because the characters for some reason are uncomfortable with using the "straight" word. Look at all the synonyms that have been used for the toilet. "Huge tracts of land" from Monty Python and the Holy Grail is another great example.

An Unusual Expletive is exactly what the characters mean to say. There is generally no phrase or word that has been substituted. The Captain of Tintin uses a huge range of original expletives, but they're not euphemisms. Likewise for "drokk" of Judge Dredd, or the exclamations of famous scientists in Luther Arkwright.

Goshdang It To Heck can be viewed as the intersection between the two usages: it's expletives that at the same time are euphemisms. In natural languages, these can further evolve into full expletives, and need a new euphemism.

Wick check tomorrow - I started one but realised I messed things up.

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war

#4: Dec 31st 2013 at 6:54:47 PM

I think Unusual Expletive would make sense as a missing supertrope for things like Pardon My Klingon. The only reason I would see not to split it is that, from a out-of-universe standpoint, all examples would still be examples of Unusual Euphemism. But I think the in-work difference is enough.

edited 31st Dec '13 6:55:58 PM by nrjxll

kjnoren Since: Feb, 2011

#5: Dec 31st 2013 at 10:58:08 PM

That distinction isn't true. The examples of expletives below are from Heart of Empire:

"Buggers", "arsehole", "fucking", and other real common-world swear words.
"Great Dalton", "Isaac H. Newton", and other names of famous scientists used as expletives by the people in the ultra-scientific world of Valhalla Nova
"Fookin' fops", a case of Gosh Dang It to Heck! by choice of the speaker