vulgarism

American  

[vuhl-guh-riz-uhm] / ˈvʌl gəˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. vulgar behavior or character; vulgarity.

2. a vulgar expression; a word or phrase used only in common colloquial, and especially in coarse, speech.

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vulgarism British  

/ ˈvʌlɡəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. a coarse, crude, or obscene expression

2. a word or phrase found only in the vulgar form of a language

3. another word for vulgarity

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Etymology

Origin of vulgarism

First recorded in 1635–45; vulgar + -ism

Example Sentences

Well, the Games brought a large wave of vulgarism to Hyde Park for the men's triathlon on Tuesday and I was happy to be part of it.

From The Guardian • Aug. 8, 2012

The predominant fault of the bad English encountered today is not the crude vulgarism of the untaught but the blithe irresponsibility of the taught.

From Time Magazine Archive

Old Lady Ely used to say that Lord Fife was one of the few men who could with impunity quiz, as it were, the Queen� to use a vulgarism, get the best of her.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Naff off," an upper-class vulgarism, is gaining popularity around the world largely through Anne's efforts.

From Time Magazine Archive

"A vulgarism not altogether unbefitting," said the Professor, stumbling along in the dark.

From A Yankee from the West A Novel by Read, Opie Percival