Euphemisms: Kate Burridge at TEDxSydney

In an entertaining analysis with colourful examples from the English language, Kate Burridge talks about what we'd rather NOT talk about: euphemism. Words that shield us against what's embarrassing, what's feared, and what's disliked. She explains how euphemisms are created, how they wear out, and why, ultimately, they make our lives easier.
Kate Burridge is currently Professor of Linguistics at Monash University in Melbourne and is a fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. She is a regular commentator in the media and has authored many books on language. Linguistic taboos have always intrigued her, especially the ins and outs of those expressions we create to speak the unspeakable.
TEDxSydney 2012 took place on Saturday 26 May 2012 at Carriageworks. Tens of thousands of people enjoyed the day: 800 in the theatre, over 1,000 via big screen simulcast in The Forum, many thousands online via KZbin and ABC Big Ideas ... and up to 80,000 tuning in to ABC Radio National.
About TEDx, x = independently organised event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

[@MsSusanmary]

I adore listening to Kate BURRIDGE ... bring her back ABC Australia ....

[@dissilymordentroge5818]

Kate made watching television worth watching. Please bring her back !

[@annielyn836]

I study Linguistics under Kate- and I just had the pleasure of hearing this delivered as a lesson first hand. She's so talented!!!!!

[@Elizabeth-qd6xu]

Kate's still one of the most captivating speakers/lecturers I've ever heard. Brilliant.

[@BubblegumL]

I would say that this Ted Talk was ahead of its time. Her teaching can transcend time, as it rings more bells now, than it did back then.

[@turnicutdubz]

brilliant. tell it how it is or don't. it's interesting either way haha. great ted talk.

[@barneylaurance1865]

I wonder if the 'sleeping with' euphemism has been able to persist so long in part because it has a literal meaning which his highly plausible in many of the same contexts as the euphemistic meaning.

[@DetectiveNodnarb]

can somone please type out exactly what she said? i cant understand her please

[@gregorybrian]

+Brandon Van Oss Turn on CC( Closed Captioning).

[@genolgra]

The captions are auto-generated and pretty bad. Proper captioning needs to be provided to ensure access.

[@yourallbrainwashed]

george carlin first pointed euphemisms. i miss him

[@Janinho897]

you mean he was the first ever human to do so?

[@zahraalzuraijawi9062]

she wrote my english textbook...:/

[@RaghnaidAnnaNicGaraidh]

She teaches half my classes... :)

[@retrothingz]

Speaking of trousers .. looks like Katie got her paira' strides from Ashton's Circus

[@gregorybrian]

I suppose the opposite of "euphemisms" would be "vulgarities."

[@Teritus911]

Dysphemisms I think.

[@gregorybrian]

SSCarpathia_159 Never heard that word before! Thanks! I love to learn new words.

[@Teritus911]

No worries.