Simple text

[NotWise]

I like to keep it simple, but I have this exchange in a draft story:

“Think about it,” she said. “I’ll raise the Christmas tree, we can exchange presents, I’ll make you a Christmas dinner.”

“I’ll text you,” I said, and Celeste tugged her sweater close around her. She ran for the house, and I shouted after her. “Wait! Are those all euphemisms?”

"Euphemisms" in the last line bothers me, and I'd like to find a plain-English way to say the same thing. I checked a thesaurus or two, and managed "Wait! Are you talking in metaphor?" but that isn't simpler.

Any suggestions?

 

[djrip]

I think you got it right the first time, personally! Euphemisms is perfect.

 

[djrip]

Could go with 'code,' maybe. "Wait! Was that all code for something?"

 

[TheWritingGroup]

You could vary it a bit and say "innuendo".

-Annie

 

[NotWise]

That was quick. For now I've taken @djrip's idea and penciled in "Wait! Is that some kind of code?"

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Euphemism is ‘the’ word. I’d extend the scene:
It slowly dawned on me as she slammed the door behind her. Following her path, I took a deep breath and knocked.

She was crying when she opened the door.

“I’m an idiot.” I cringed. “Those were euphemisms, weren’t they?”
She grabbed my shirt, pulling me to her, pressing her lips to mine as she pulled me inside.
But that’s just me. Might not work for you.

 

[Fatdog25]

"Were those hints?" is probably what I would go with.

 

[NotWise]

Euphemism is ‘the’ word. I’d extend the scene:
It slowly dawned on me as she slammed the door behind her. Following her path, I took a deep breath and knocked.

She was crying when she opened the door.

“I’m an idiot.” I cringed. “Those were euphemisms, weren’t they?”
She grabbed my shirt, pulling me to her, pressing her lips to mine as she pulled me inside.
But that’s just me. Might not work for you.

So dramatic!

 

[Bramblethorn]

"Wait, do you mean presents presents, or...?"

 

[Cagivagurl]

I like Shelby's suggestion...
Or, you could say...

“Think about it,” she said. “I’ll raise the Christmas tree, we can exchange presents, I’ll make you a Christmas dinner.”

“I’ll text you,” I said, as Celeste pulled her sweater tighter to her. She turned quickly running towards the house. It dawned on me, what a fool. “Wait! You weren't talking about presents or dinner were you?” I yelled, as the door slammed loudly.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

That was quick. For now I've taken @djrip's idea and penciled in "Wait! Is that some kind of code?"

Ditto, codes.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I think you got it right the first time, personally! Euphemisms is perfect.

I'd go with this, euphemisms. I mean, we all know what "Christmas dinner" means.

 

[NotWise]

Ditto, codes.

"Codes" works for me on multiple levels.

For background, the couple in question are siblings, close in age, but much younger than their two older siblings. When they were kids, they were always accused of hatching conspiracies, and @djrip's mention of code got me thinking that they not only conspired, but also used a private code. Now, as young adults, they're still conspiring, but the codes are mostly forgotten.

Rough drafts are meant to change. That scene (which is lighthearted, not dramatic) will stay, but with "codes" in mind, what they say might be different.

 

[THBGato]

I'd go with this, euphemisms. I mean, we all know what "Christmas dinner" means.

????????
Do we?

 

[TheLobster]

????????
Do we?

In here, everything means only one thing. Freud would be proud.

 

[THBGato]

I'm still really confused. My wife and I are vegetarian. Christmas dinner for us is a nut roast. I can't really see how offering that to a guy is tempting, unless he has some really dangerous kinks.

 

[Comshaw]

My suggestion if you want to keep it simple:

“I’ll text you,” I said, and Celeste tugged her sweater close around her. She ran for the house, and I shouted after her. “Wait! Did you mean that literally, or as a figure of speech?"

Comshaw

 

[TheLobster]

“I’ll text you,” I said, and Celeste tugged her sweater close around her. She ran for the house, and I shouted after her. “Wait! Have I missed something there?”

 

[Writer61]

????????
Do we?

Well, there's nothing like a good stuffing.