a-word
noun1
Euphemistic A bad word that starts with the letter a, such as ass/arse or asshole/arsehole.
2
Christianity Euphemistic The word alleluia, typically in the context of Lent since the Lenten liturgies of various Christian churches omit the alleluia.
- It was Lent; “alleluia” is not sung in the Catholic church during Lent. I told her Babloo liked songs with the “A-word.”2008, Mary Poplin, Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service, →ISBN, page 71:
- My congregation is frustrated because we can’t sing carols during Advent, and now we can’t say the A-word [Alleluia] during Lent.2009, Melinda A. Quivik, Serving the Word, →ISBN, page 43:
1 more example
- What we give up — the A-word. […] I added what we call the A-word in Lent, since we stop saying “a-l-l-e-l-u-i-a” for this season (Shhhh!).2022 April 1, Keith Dorwick, “Deeper and deeper into Lenten quiet”, in Peninsula Daily News:
3
Any word beginning with a that is not normally taboo but is considered (often humorously) to be so in the given context.
- Most of the candidates have skirted the AIDS issue as much as possible, mentioning the "A word" only when asked a direct question.1988 February 21, Chris Bull, “Pressing the Candidates On AIDS”, in Gay Community News, volume 15, number 31, page 11:
- Specialists sometimes choose PDD-NOS instead of an autism diagnosis because they are afraid that the “a-word” frightens patients.2010, Ken Siri, “Diagnosis and Evaluation—Formation”, in 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic Boys, page 17:
- Related terms