Euphemisms in English Everyday Discourse Eufemismy V anglickém jazykovém prostředí

playing with yourself
.”
(New health 
advisor)
2.2 EUPHEMISMS FOR BODILY EFFLUVIA 
2.2.1 Naming Menstruation
Since menstruation has always been a subject to censorship and in some 
cultures it is still understood as something devilish and unclean there are lots of
euphemistic words that refer to it. As the connotations differ, there are various 
motifs that inspire the creation of the euphemistic alternatives. There are some 
terms that describe menstruation with regard to its periodicity and regular monthly 
occurrence.
 
The function of the use of such euphemisms is the matter of 
avoidance rather than the softening of the meaning. The example below shows a 
term that is used quite frequently in media and it is considered to be relatively 
neutral.
“When you become close enough to someone, to not have sex just because of 
something as mundane as a 
period
, just seems stupid.”
(LaFata, 2014) 

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39 
Another way of naming menstruation might be done through designation 
of sanitary protection. The usage of such terms is colloquial and one can come 
across it mainly in spoken language rather than in press. Again, the reason for its 
occurrence in a text or a speech is purely the avoidance of direct naming.
“So saddle up, cowgirls. We’re riding off into the sunset, and we don’t need no 
stinkin’ tampons. 
Riding the cotton pony
 is so last century.”
(Lopez) 
The colour red is another source of inspiration for naming menstruation. 
The euphemistic terms sometimes contain red colour in its denotative meaning, 
but sometimes it is either a part of a set expression such as 
the Red Sea
or 
connotations people have with some phenomenon for example 
to fall to the 
Communists
. Since all these alternatives are colloquial they are mostly used in 
spoken language. They evade of direct naming and sometimes if you do not know 
that the expression stands for the menstruation you are not able to understand it 
because some of them are not transparent enough.
“If you’ve never parted 
the Red Sea
 like these ladies, perhaps you’re dying to try, 
or perhaps you’re firmly against it.”
(LaFata, 2014) 
The example below shows various ways of referring to menstruation. They 
all are colloquial and highly informal. One can come across them primarily in 
spoken language and their function is the avoidance of using proper names. There 
are terms that express menstruation, as a means of time; another connects it 
indirectly with the red colour and there is a euphemistic alternative that refers to it 
through the idea of a visit. A motif of repairs is stated in euphemistic substitution 
– 
closed for maintenance. 
Since the euphemistic meaning of all these terms differs 
from its denotative one it is almost impossible to guess the gist of these 
euphemisms as they are used metaphorically.

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40 
Jen: I’m sorry, I’m just a little bit you know. 
Moss: What?
 Roy: What?
Jen: Well, I’ve got – you know