So, two points for recycling?
Anyway, sexual euphemisms and I aren't total strangers. Regardless of the topic,chances are my mind will happily plunge straight into the gutter. (I may not always voice my thoughts aloud, but they're there.)
When it comes to writing them...eh. In some ways I'm probably a bit more conservative than others - there are certain words/phrases I don't like, but that's probably true for everyone. And as we've seen on the blog earlier this week, go too clinical and it jerks the reader right out of the scene. On the other hand, make it too purple and you risk the reader laughing.
And as an aside, one of the worst euphemisms I've ever read was one where the author referred to the woman's naughty bits as her "hole of contentment."
Just. No.
*ahem*
It's a pretty nice starter, and followed up nicely by The Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. I like this one in particular because it was originally written in 1785 - nothing quite like getting things straight from the source, particularly when writing a fantasy or a period piece. There's a bit of overlap, obviously, but still very useful. (Dancing the blanket hornpipe, anyone?)
Both books have far more in them than mere sexual expressions, by the way. There's some superb thieves cant in general, mixed with Gypsy terms and a bit of "everyman's" slang - all in all, it's great stuff.
For a more modern look at euphemisms, check out Sex Lexis. (This site is probably NSFW, but it's worth a look).To be honest, some of the terminology and phrases here are so over the top that I don't think I'd ever be able to use them with a straight face (although more power to you if you can insert "gallop the maggot" or "drinking from the furry cup" into your WiP somewhere...)
So, worst euphemisms that you've ever read (or written?)
