Oh yes, every one of us urinate, defecate, vomit, send gas up the stomach, send gas down the stomach, and have all that bodily functions going on, on a daily basis. It is so relieving to have them in private; but so often they take revenge on us when we are in public. How many of us have felt so awkward to talk about those in public? Especially when we so badly needed to perform one of them? Especially the ‘one’ and the two’?
Of course, we have special expressions in our mother tongues. And so easily we have code-words too, among friends and family. But, how do we talk about such things indirectly in English? Still make the other person understand? And not feel bad about it? Both you and that person?
Here is what we call ‘Euphemism,’ or ‘euphemistic expression.’
Euphemism is a word or phrase that indirectly refers to an action, particularly a bodily function so that the word or phrase can be used in a conversation without embarrassing anyone. The following is a list of such euphemistic expressions and the actions that they mean:
| Action | Informal | Formal |
| Urination | Take a leak, wee, pee, piddle, widdle, tinkle, have a jimmy, spend a coin, piss (piss off has a vulgar meaning) | Attend nature’s call, use the rest room, go to the toilet, go to the loo, relieve oneself, freshen up |
| Defecate | Number two, poop, whoopsie, crap, shit, dump, drop the kids at the school | Use the toilet, relieve oneself |
| pass gas up the stomach | Burp, ruck, rout, gurk | Belch, bring up wind |
| Pass gas down the stomach | Toot, cut the cheese, let a rip, rip one, fart | Pass gas, break wind, flatulence |
| Menstruation in women | monthlies, that time, bleeding, one’s friend, the time of the month | Periods |
| Vomit | Puke, spew, retch, pray to the porcelain god | Throw up, get sick, become sick |
Sometimes, people come up with creative expressions to indirectly mention any of these functions, and some of them are truly thought-provoking! Remember, whatever creative thing you come up with should be understood and should not make the other person wrinkle their nose.
Remember, you might be embarrassed to talk about such things, but never be embarrassed to perform these things anywhere. Never prevent yourself from taking a leak, or using the toilet. Holding on is harmful to your health, and remember this too: everyone have such bodily functions, and you are not so special about it.
Dr KATE 