Expletivelike
Expletivelike is a term used to describe words or phrases that share characteristics with expletives but are not typically considered vulgar or offensive in themselves. These words often function similarly to expletives in that they can be used for emphasis, to express strong emotion, or to fill pauses in speech. However, they lack the inherent taboo or shock value associated with traditional profanity.
The function of an expletivelike word or phrase is more important than its literal meaning in its
Linguistic analysis of expletivelike language often focuses on its pragmatic use. These words can act as discourse