What was cool was learning the word dysphemism. It's like utopia and dystopia, but instead euphemism and dysphemism. Interestingly, there are euphemistic dysphemisms. So it's not really just opposite sides of the same kind, it's more fine grained than that and can involve being a euphemism for one group, but a dysphemism for another group, based on the context. And, for example, it includes a minced oath were someone substitutes a word in a usual phrase that might be offensive: bowlderizes it. So when Eryn used to say "Oh bommit!" she was engaging in a minced oath. And, when I call my mother Ellen, I may be guilty of name dysphemism.
Who knew spotted dick was such an educational opportunity.
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