a-word

plural a-words

1. euphemisticA bad word that starts with the letter a, such as ass/arse or asshole/arsehole.
2. euphemisticChristianityThe word alleluia, typically in the context of Lent since the Lenten liturgies of various Christian churches omit the alleluia.

   It was Lent; “alleluia” is not sung in the Catholic church during Lent. I told her Babloo liked songs with the “A-word.”

   2008, Mary Poplin, Finding Calcutta: What Mother Teresa Taught Me About Meaningful Work and Service, →ISBN, page 71

   2 more examples

   My congregation is frustrated because we can’t sing carols during Advent, and now we can’t say the A-word [Alleluia] during Lent.

   2009, Melinda A. Quivik, Serving the Word, →ISBN, page 43

   What we give up — the A-word. […] I added what we call the A-word in Lent, since we stop saying “a-l-l-e-l-u-i-a” for this season (Shhhh!).

   2022 April 1, Keith Dorwick, “Deeper and deeper into Lenten quiet”, in Peninsula Daily News

3. Any word beginning with a that is not normally taboo but is considered (often humorously) to be so in the given context.

   Most of the candidates have skirted the AIDS issue as much as possible, mentioning the "A word" only when asked a direct question.

   1988 February 21, Chris Bull, “Pressing the Candidates On AIDS”, in Gay Community News, volume 15, number 31, page 11

   1 more example

   Specialists sometimes choose PDD-NOS instead of an autism diagnosis because they are afraid that the “a-word” frightens patients.

   2010, Ken Siri, “Diagnosis and Evaluation—Formation”, in 1,001 Tips for the Parents of Autistic Boys, page 17