s-word
Knight's edged weapon
A placeholder referring to a word beginning with S that the speaker considers too offensive, controversial, or inappropriate to say directly.
Which word depends on context—it might be shit, slut, stupid, or suicide, among others.
The formula "the X-word" allows discussing taboo language without using it: The comedian got in trouble for saying the s-word on air.
Using profane language
- expletiveProfane emotional utterance
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- vulgarityOffensive coarseness in manner
- cussingUsing profane language
foul language · taboo · censored · bleeped · inappropriate · offensive · crude · coarse
Discharge or capture
- sugarCrystalline carbohydrate sweetener
- shucksFolksy expression of disappointment
- sheeshExclamation of exasperation
- shizEuphemistic slang for stuff
snap · darn · heck · fudge · frick · freaking · gosh · golly
Fricative with hiss quality
- fricativeConsonant with audible friction
- consonantIn agreement with
- phonemeMinimal distinctive sound unit
- hissingSharp sss sound
serpentine · alliteration · slithery · sinister · soft · sharp · speech sound · articulation
Position after eighteen
- alphabetLanguage's letter system
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- initialName's opening letter
- monogramInterlaced personal initials
curve · Superman · logo · capitalized · lowercase · calligraphy · typography · S-curve
cursing
Using profane language
- expletiveProfane emotional utterance
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- vulgarityOffensive coarseness in manner
cussing · foul language · taboo · censored · bleeped · inappropriate · offensive · crude · coarse · profane
shoot
Discharge or capture
- sugarCrystalline carbohydrate sweetener
- shucksFolksy expression of disappointment
- sheeshExclamation of exasperation
shiz · snap · darn · heck · fudge · frick · freaking · gosh · golly · substitute
sibilant
Fricative with hiss quality
- fricativeConsonant with audible friction
- consonantIn agreement with
- phonemeMinimal distinctive sound unit
hissing · serpentine · alliteration · slithery · sinister · soft · sharp · speech sound · articulation · voiceless
nineteenth
Position after eighteen
monogram · curve · Superman · logo · capitalized · lowercase · calligraphy · typography · S-curve · S-bend