Dictionary definition: ‘KNIFE’. taboo word

Dictionary definition: ‘CHURCH’. taboo word
A Dictionary of Superstitions;      318 words ...‘CHURCH’. taboo word 1883 J. R. TUDOR Orkneys and Shetland 166 [Shetland] When setting the lines they avoided, and do still, mentioning certain objects, except by certain ...

Dictionary definition: ‘MINISTER’ taboo word
A Dictionary of Superstitions;      372 words ...‘MINISTER’ taboo word 1809 A. EDMONSTON Zetland Islands ... others equally unmeaning. 1883 J. R. TUDOR Orkneys and Shetland 166 [Shetland] When ... x2018;CHURCH’. taboo word ; CLERGYMAN .

Dictionary definition: ‘DEVIL’. taboo word
A Dictionary of Superstitions;      635 words ...‘DEVIL’. taboo word 1663 PEPYS Diary 21 May. Being at supper, my wife did say ... Satanic majesty's name should be mentioned. 1883 J. R. TUDOR Orkneys and Shetland 166 [Shetland] When setting their lines they ...

Dictionary definition: ‘CAT’. taboo word
A Dictionary of Superstitions;      396 words ...‘CAT’. taboo word 1809 A. EDMONSTON Zetland Islands II 74. Certain names must ... the cat; and many others equally unmeaning. 1883 J. R. TUDOR Orkneys and Shetland 166 [Shetland] When setting their lines they ...

Dictionary definition: ‘PIG’. taboo word
A Dictionary of Superstitions;      657 words ...‘PIG’. taboo word 1726 C. ELLISON Benwell Village 20 [Northumb.] Neither did here, In sight appear Of ... porker’. Cf. ‘HARE’ OR ‘RABBIT’ taboo word .

Dictionary definition: taboo word
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics;      285 words ...taboo word. A word known to speakers but avoided in some, most, or all forms or contexts of speech, for reasons of religion, decorum ...

Dictionary definition: ‘SALMON’. taboo word
A Dictionary of Superstitions;      425 words ...‘SALMON’. taboo word 1881 W. GREGOR North-East of Scotland 146. If there was occasion to speak of a salmon, a circumlocution was used, and it ...