Kenneth Kendall

[MichaelZZ]

I never realised that KK bowled from the pavilion end.

[jno]

an addendum: in ye olden times when homosexuality itself was taboo, there were euphemisms, "flamboyant" or "he never married" being common in obituaries. "Gay" does not serve that purpose and never would have.

[sp1814]

maggiebee

Well said. It just seems that some think that this horrible story is somehow fit for a punchline.

[murraymints]

Didn't know Kenneth Kendall had gone ! ..he was a good reader of the news and made a programme about getting old for c4 .....my grannies favourite !...did not realize he batted for other side....does it matter ?

[sp1814]

FredPuli43

Yes, I have to agree with jno on this...perhaps back in the 50s the term 'gay bachelor' was use as a euphemism, but by the time I was growing up 'gay' had lost any kind of 'shading' or mystique.

One purpose of a euphemism is to be able to say something without everyone necessarily knowing what you're talking about.

This is why 'gay' couldn't possibly be used as a euphemism any more, because so many people, both gay and straight, use it commonly.

Take these two sentences:

"He drives on the other side of the street (taps side of nose), if you know what I mean!"

and

"He's gay (taps side of nose), if you know what I mean"

You see how that second sentence doesn't make any sense? It's because 'gay' is no longer a euphemism.

[FredPuli43]

" Urinate "is not a taboo word and " had sexual intercourse" is not taboo either; both are standard English and accurate and precise, but 'relieve oneself' and "slept with" sound nicer or, if you will, less offensive. "Gay" sounds nicer or, if you will, less offensive , than 'homosexual'. All of those are, by definition, euphemisms for that reason.

[wolf63]

In another thread which may be about a less serious subject using euphemisms may be appropriate - we all use them in some way or another.

But this man had lost the love of his live and killed himself - that is sad.

Gromit - we don't play much cricket up her in Scotland.

[FredPuli43]

That's like saying "relieve himself" or "slept with" aren't euphemisms because everyone knows what they mean and 'everyone' uses them, sp!

[jno]

FredPuli - I disagree!!! But I've said my piece.

[ludwig]

// we don't play much cricket up her in Scotland. //

Is that a euphemism?