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# the s-word

phrase (noun phrase, «the s-word», also «the S-word»)

«the s-word» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, polite) a rude swear word beginning with s (a word for poo), named without saying it.
2. (humorous) any touchy word starting with s, e.g. «school», «sorry», «snow».

### In the lessons

Used by parents, teachers and news writers to mention a swear word without saying it; polite in all English-speaking countries. Jokingly, it can label any word someone avoids («Don't say the s-word — school!» in the holidays).

### Examples

- (parent) Who said the s-word?
- (news) The rating says the film includes the s-word.
- (teacher) Writing the s-word in your story isn't clever.
- (joke, holidays) Don't mention the s-word — school starts on Monday.
- (chat) my little bro said the s-word at dinner and mum went red
- (office joke) In this office "sales" is the s-word.

### Note

Trap: «the s-word» is safe to say; the word it stands for is rude, though milder than the f-word. Context may make it a joke about another word.