|
|
|
|
|
Expletive InfixationExpletive infixation is a process by which an expletive or profanity is inserted into a word, usually for intensification. Strictly speaking, it is an example of tmesis rather than infixation, since true infixes are bound morphemes. The most commonly inserted expletives are adjectival: either participles (fucking, mother-fucking, blooming, bleeding, damned) or adjectives (bloody). They are usually somewhat phonetically reduced (fuckin). The insertion occurs at a syllable boundary, usually just before the stressed syllable. Thus, one hears abso-fuckin-lutely rather than ab-fuckin-solutely. It can also occur at a morpheme boundary, for example un-fuckin-believable. Examples - fan-bloody-tastic
- guaran-damn-tee (Southwest American slang)
- "Ah, so loverly, sittin' abso-bloomin'-lutely still..." (from the song "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" in the musical My Fair Lady)
- "the emanci-mother-fuckin-pator of the slaves" (from the musical Hair)
- "ri-goddamn-diculous" (attributed to John Wayne, in an address to some quondam graduating ROTC cadets)
- "abso-fraggin'-lutely" (catch phrase of character John Sheridan in the television show Babylon 5)
* "Ala-fucking-bama" (used in the movie My Cousin Vinny)
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|