r-words

Noun

r-word (plural r-words)

1. (euphemistic) The word retard or retarded, regarded as a vulgar or taboo word.
   • I recently spoke supporting a new name for the President's Committee on Mental Retardation. I suggested it be changed to "President's Committee for People with Developmental Disabilities."2003, James Meadours, “Tell the President Stop using that "R" word”, in Mouth, volume 14, number 3 (Sep/Oct 2003), page 34

   Synonyms:

   r-slur

2. (euphemistic) The word rape, regarded as a vulgar or taboo word.
   • "Updike can use the `R' word" (rape, he meant) "to describe the love-making (sic) of the two Brazilians and get away with it."1994 April 17, Harvey Porlock, “On the Critical List; Books”, in The Times, London (UK)
3. (euphemistic) The word redskin or redskins (including Redskins as a team name) regarded as a vulgar or taboo word.
   • For years, Native American Indian groups and a wide variety of knee-jerk liberal sympathizers, including me, your humble scrivener, have pointed fingers of shame, shame, shame at the R-word team.1992 September 23, Clarence Page, “Block that trademarked racial epithet”, in The Orlando Sentinel, page A9
4. (humorous) Any word beginning with r that is considered (often humorously) to be taboo in the given context.
   • Neither Mayor David N. Dinkins nor Mr. Cuomo, though, has been reluctant to invoke the symbolism of another R-word: Republican.1993, Sam Roberts, “Mayoral Campaign Tests The Loyalty of Democrats”, in The New York Times, page B2

See all 5 meanings of r-word