Innuendo
Aninnuendois ahint,insinuationorintimationabout a person or thing, especially of a denigrating or derogatory nature. It can also be a remark or question, typically disparaging (also calledinsinuation), that works obliquely byallusion.In the latter sense, the intention is often toinsultor accuse someone in such a way that one's words, taken literally, are innocent.[1][2]
According to theAdvanced Oxford Learner's Dictionary,an innuendo is "an indirect remark about somebody or something, usually suggesting something bad, mean or rude", such as:"innuendos about her private life"or"The song is full of sexual innuendo".[3]
Sexual innuendo[edit]
The termsexual innuendohas acquired a specific meaning, namely that of a "risqué"double entendreby playing on a possibly sexual interpretation of an otherwise innocent uttering. For example: "We need to go deeper" can be seen as either a request for further inquiry or allude tosexual penetration.[4]
Defamation law[edit]
In the context ofdefamation law,an innuendo meaning is one which is not directly contained in the words that are illustrated, but which would be understood by those reading it based on specialized knowledge.[5][6]
Film, television, and other media[edit]
Comedy film scripts have used innuendo since the beginning of sound film itself. A notable example is theCarry Onfilm series (1958–1992) in which innuendo was a staple feature, often including the title of the film itself.British sitcomsand comedy shows such asAre You Being Served?[7]andRound the Horne[8]have also made extensive use of innuendo. Mild sexual innuendo is a staple of Britishpantomime.[9]
Numerous television programs and animated films targeted at child audiences often use innuendos in an attempt to entertain adolescent/adult audiences without exceeding their network's censorship policies.[10]For example,Rocko's Modern Lifeemployed numerous innuendos over its run, such as alluding tomasturbationby naming the fictionalfast foodchain in the show "Chokey Chicken".[11]Over 20 percent of the show's audience were adults as a result.[12]
OnThe Scott Mills ShowonBBC Radio 1,listeners are asked to send in clips from radio and TV with innuendos in a humorous context, a feature known as "Innuendo Bingo". Presenters and special guests fill their mouths with water and listen to the clips, and the last person to spit the water out with laughter wins the game.[13]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"Implication and Innuendo".csus.edu.Retrieved2021-06-30.
- ^"Innuendo - Examples and Definition of Innuendo".Literary Devices.2014-01-02.Retrieved2021-06-30.
- ^Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryArchived2015-05-18 at theWayback Machine(7th Edition; electronic version)
- ^Hartwig, Melinda K. (2014-12-01).A Companion to Ancient Egyptian Art.John Wiley & Sons.ISBN978-1-118-32509-4.
- ^"Language of Comedy - Innuendo".OpenLearn.Retrieved2021-06-30.
- ^"Sexual Harassment | Sexual Offense Support (S.O.S.)".Retrieved2021-06-30.
- ^"Going down: 'Grace Bros' store closes".BBC News. February 1, 1999.Archivedfrom the original on February 27, 2009.
The innuendo was loud and clear
- ^Dominic Cavendish (31 Oct 2003)."A return to unalloyed joy".The Daily Telegraph.Archivedfrom the original on 2015-09-24.
...a censor-baiting mixture of absurd spoofs, yarns, links and character-turns, laced with end-of-the-pier innuendo and erudite-infantile wordplay.
- ^"Only The Brits: Not Christmas Without Pantomime".NPR. December 25, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on January 1, 2012.
No panto is complete without a dose of smutty innuendo for the adults and some contemporary political jokes.
- ^Schreiber, Hope (March 29, 1997)."A History of Weird Sexual Innuendo in Children's Movies".Complex.Retrieved5 December2020.
- ^Scibelli, Anthony (6 August 2010)."The 6 Creepiest Things Ever Slipped Into Children's Cartoons".Cracked.Retrieved2 December2020.
- ^Moore, Scott."CARTOON KINGDOM".South Florida SunSentinel.South Florida SunSentinel.Retrieved2 December2020.
- ^"Innuendo Bingo".Archivedfrom the original on 2 January 2013.Retrieved15 October2012.