Euphemania

A delightful look at euphemisms—where they come from, why we need them, and why they tell us about who we are.

"Whether you're looking for information or just browsing, Euphemania is a classic. It is beautifully written, uniformly delightful, and a pleasure to read. Keyes has spread a broad net and offers the tastiest morsels to his readers. I love this book!" ―Rosalie Maggio, author of How to Say It and The Art of Talking to Anyone

How did "die" become "kick the bucket," "underwear" become "unmentionables," and "having an affair" become "hiking the Appalachian trail?" Originally used to avoid blasphemy, honor taboos, and make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. Euphemania traces the origins of euphemisms from a tool of the church to a form 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.

"Hang on tight and we'll ride through the wise and witty work of a writer who handles his love for the language on every page." ―Roy Peter Clark, author of Writing Tools and The Glamour of Grammar

"If 'Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne,' as Quentin Crisp once said, then Ralph Keyes has given word and language lovers a deeply fragrant-and thoroughly enjoyable-book." ―Dr. Mardy Grothe, author of Oxymoronica and other quotation anthologies