choice word
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]In its original use, choice words referred to spoken or written text that was deemed excellent and admirable. The current idiomatic uses arose by ironic inversion.
Noun
[edit]choice word (plural choice words)
- Something said bluntly in a scornful, often profane, manner.
- 2006, Michael Karol, Sitcom Queens: Divas of the Small Screen, page 96:
- that was because many of the people who lived there were such funny, sassy ladies who had a choice word or ten about every aspect of the others' lives.
- 2013, Tony Parker, The Frying Pan: A Prison and Its Prisoners:
- ... this damn book, and I looked at it and I still remember it was Rapoport's Community As Doctor: New Perspectives On A Therapeutic Community. I've often thought since that if I ever met Dr.Rapoport, I'd have a choice word or two to say to him.
- 2019 April 1, “Cove Rangers made to work hard for vital win against Wick Academy”, in The Press and Journal, Scotland:
- No doubt Cove Rangers manager John Sheran had a choice word or two with his players at the break after a rather lacklustre first-half performance.
- 2019 September 23, Jeff Wilson, “End-of-season skid hasn’t been pretty for the Rangers. But don’t call them quitters”, in Fort Worth Star-Telegram[1]:
- Lynn had one choice word in particular to describe the cries that the Rangers are quitting. It’s often seen in large piles at Lone Star Park.
Usage notes
[edit]Almost always used in the plural, or in a plural sense.