The word "unmentionable", meaning something too embarrassing to discuss, is spelled with the prefix "un-", meaning "not", added to the word "mentionable". It is pronounced /ʌnˈmɛnʃənəbəl/. The stress is on the second syllable, and the IPA symbols show the pronunciation of each individual sound. The letter combination "tion" represents the sound /ʃən/. The final "le" is silent and the word ends with the sound /bəl/. Remembering the spelling and pronunciation of "unmentionable" can help avoid any embarrassment in discussions.
Unmentionable, as an adjective, refers to something that is considered inappropriate, indelicate, or too sensitive to be spoken about or mentioned openly. It describes items, topics, or ideas that are kept secret, concealed, or hidden due to their embarrassing or taboo nature.
In the context of clothing, unmentionables typically refer to undergarments, particularly those worn beneath outer clothing, such as underwear, bras, or lingerie. These garments are often deemed unmentionable due to their intimate nature, and it is considered impolite to discuss or openly reference them in conversation or public settings.
Beyond clothing, the term "unmentionable" can also extend to subjects or experiences that are considered too unpleasant, offensive, or scandalous to be addressed directly. Such topics may include matters related to bodily functions, private personal affairs, or socially unacceptable actions.
In broader usage, the noun form "unmentionables" can be used to collectively refer to undergarments or other taboo items. Furthermore, the term can also be employed to describe those subjects, actions, or experiences that are generally avoided in polite conversation due to their sensitive or controversial nature.
Overall, unmentionable represents those things that society has deemed unfit for public discussion, mainly because they are considered offensive, embarrassing, or inappropriate topics or items to speak about openly.
That may not be mentioned or named.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "unmentionable" originated in the 16th century with its earliest known usage in English dating back to the 1590s. It is formed by adding the prefix "un-" to the word "mentionable".
The prefix "un-" derives from Old English and has its roots in the Germanic language family. It is used to indicate negation or absence, implying something is not or cannot be of a certain quality or condition. In this case, "un-" is attached to "mentionable", rendering it "unmentionable" to signify that it should not be mentioned or spoken about.
Over time, "unmentionable" has come to primarily refer to topics of a delicate or taboo nature that are not openly discussed.