Gay euphamism

Bit of a crusty old bachelor. Actually, in the papers, that always means gay, doesn't it? FrostThe Graveyard Book. An issue related to homosexuality in the past has been to avoid directly using words such as "gay," "lesbian" and "homosexual. This has been more of an issue in the past due to societal changes regarding the acceptance gay euphamism homosexuality, but still does pop up from time to time in contemporary works.

Tends to be especially prevalent in period pieces set before the 20th century and in fantasy settings; in the latter's case, it's implied that these words just don't exist, gay euphamism in the former's case, it might be an attempt at realism since homosexuality was quite taboo until recently if not downright illegal.

Use of these can sometimes result in an Unintentional Period Pieceas works produced when such terms were taboo to say can show the work's age. Sometimes the euphemism is part of, or gives rise to, an extended metaphor used to delicately explain the person's sexuality to another can edge into Metaphorgotten if the recipient isn't quite sure what's actually being discussed.

A Sub-Trope of Unusual Euphemism. Relates to Never Say "Die" which is about avoiding direct references to death. Comic Books In RunawaysKarolina is very obviously into her teammate Nico and later confessed to liking girls when the Skrull prince Xavin demanded her hand in marriage, but the series repeatedly refused to actually use the word "gay" to describe her orientation until Joss Whedon took over.

Curiously, Brian K. Vaughan had no problems having Chase use the word "gay" as a pejorative on several occasions. In Watchmenthe relationship between Hooded Justice and Captain Metropolitan is referred euphemistically in Sally's letter to his husband, referring to "playing rough with boys" and the two "bickering like a married couple".

Steve: So to speak, Ma. Steve's Mom: And many of my other romantic musical heroes "go up the down staircase"? Steve: In so many words. Beat Panel Steve's Mom pointing at an unspecified record album Even he "putts from the rough"? Steve: Hole in one, Ma.

Comedy In his show MonsterDylan Moran jokes that he didn't know about gay people while growing up because his family employed unusual and baffling euphemisms including "still picking up twigs in the springtime", "one of Yul Brynner's hairdressers", and "likes his toast done on three sides".

Films — Live-Action Remember the Titans : When Petey tries to explain to the girls ogling Gay euphamism that he's gay: Petey: I don't want to be the one to break y'alls hearts, but Sunshine's from California. Girl: Yeah, a California dreamboat. Petey: No. Sunshine is from California.

He's a Californian. The Limehouse Golem : John Kildare is referred to as "not the marrying kind.

The deputy tells him not to bother because Margaret "packs a boxed lunch". In the notorious deleted scene in Spartacusin which Crassus heavily and rather lasciviously hints at his interests in conversation with his unfortunate slave Antoninus: Crassus: Do you eat oysters?

Antoninus: When I have them, master. Crassus: Do you eat snails? Antoninus: No, master. Crassus: Do you consider the eating of oysters to be moral, and the eating of snails to be immoral? Crassus: Of course not.