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

But the Online Etymology Dictionary insists that the Yiddish vulgarism actually comes from the Old Polish “smok,” meaning “grass snake” or “dragon.”

From New York Times • May 3, 2010

He is the originator of the hideous vulgarism of using 'contact' as a verb�We contacted Mr. Smith.'

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

We correct it in those passages where the occurrence of a vulgarism would be likely to annoy the reader.

From The Tempest The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.] by Glover, John, librarian of Trinity College, Cambridge