Jan Finster Posted November 4, 2020 at 09:58 AM Report Share Posted November 4, 2020 at 09:58 AM I wonder if you guys know any popular, cool or intriguing Chinese euphemisms. Here is one I say today: 钱树 = money tree; hen that lays golden eggs; But also a euphemism for prostitute. Definitely a money tree for the pimp? ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonic_Duck Posted November 4, 2020 at 10:26 AM Report Share Posted November 4, 2020 at 10:26 AM 我去年买了个表 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realmayo Posted November 4, 2020 at 12:14 PM Report Share Posted November 4, 2020 at 12:14 PM I have a feeling that "he's now studying with Karl Marx" means (or meant) "he's died" but I had a quick look on google and now now I'm not sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demonic_Duck Posted November 4, 2020 at 12:16 PM Report Share Posted November 4, 2020 at 12:16 PM @realmayo You might be thinking of 见马克思. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realmayo Posted November 4, 2020 at 12:21 PM Report Share Posted November 4, 2020 at 12:21 PM Ah, great! Looks like I misremembered, unless there are variants. It's a good euphemism though, albeit somewhat dated....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonymoose Posted November 4, 2020 at 01:14 PM Report Share Posted November 4, 2020 at 01:14 PM Do things like 河蟹 count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted November 4, 2020 at 02:43 PM Report Share Posted November 4, 2020 at 02:43 PM Quite fond of the pretty standard ones like 解手 and 房事 just for the slightly different conceptual map they reveal. And everyday ones are more interesting that fancy stuff like 云雨 which seem effete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan Finster Posted November 5, 2020 at 07:59 PM Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 at 07:59 PM 绿叶 = green leaf euphemism for an actor playing a supporting role Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcdefg Posted November 5, 2020 at 09:40 PM Report Share Posted November 5, 2020 at 09:40 PM I've read several euphimisms for menstrual period. 我的“大姨妈”来了 comes to mind now. When was the last time I actually heard it said? Not sure. Maybe never. 困难 used to mean broke or out of money. Not sure if this qualifies as a euphimism any more because its use in that context has become very standard and accepted. I think euphimisms probably change rapidly, much like slang. What was "hip" yesterday will make teenagers groan and roll their eyes tomorrow. Euphimisms have a definite life span. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan Finster Posted November 7, 2020 at 07:52 PM Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 at 07:52 PM 炒鱿鱼 = stir-fried squid a.k.a. being fired (I know it is an oldie, but I could not resist ( 特朗普被开除了??)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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