innuendo
pronunciation
How to pronounce innuendo in British English:
UK [ˌɪnjuˈendəʊ]
How to pronounce innuendo in American English:
US [ˌɪnjuˈendoʊ]
-
- Noun:
- an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
Word Origin
- innuendo
- innuendo: [17] An innuendo was originally a hint given with a ‘nod’ or a wink. The word is a derivative of Latin innuere ‘signal to by means of a nod’, a compound verb formed from in- ‘towards’ and nuere ‘nod’. The ablative case of its gerund, innuendō ‘by nodding’, was used in medieval legal documents as the equivalent of ‘that is to say, i.e’. In particular, it introduced the derogatory meaning claimed by the plaintiff in a libel case to be contained in or implied by a statement, and this formed the basis for its metaphorical transference to any ‘oblique derogatory implication’.
- innuendo (n.)
- 1670s, "oblique hint, indiscreet suggestion," usually a deprecatory one, from Latin innuendo "by meaning, pointing to," literally "giving a nod to," ablative of gerund of innuere "to mean, signify," literally "to nod to," from in- "at" + nuere "to nod" (see numinous). Originally a legal phrase (1560s) from Medieval Latin, with the sense of "to wit." It often introduced the derogatory meaning alleged in libel cases, which influenced its broader meaning. As a verb, from 1706.
Example
- 1. Mr plummer said the intelligence report was " just innuendo and suggestion " .
- 2. This cloud of conspiratorial innuendo had several purposes .
- 3. If you crack open a dictionary you 'll see that innuendo means an " indirect hint . "
- 4. In a further bit of innuendo , the numbers on the backs of the t-shirts were all 69 .
- 5. Guys initially think with their " little heads , " which are completely controlled by sexual desire and will fall for the simplest flirtatious sexual innuendo .