take little interest in the opposite sex
- take little interest in the opposite sex
to be a homosexual
The case of the British naval spy Vassall highlighted the danger of using euphemism instead of direct speech. One of Vassall's referees, when he was being considered for a job which involved access to secret material, instead of warning of his homosexuality (and, at that time, the possibility of his being blackmailed), merely said that:
... he took very little interest in the opposite sex. (N. West, 1982)
Also as take no interest in the opposite sex.
How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms.
R. W. Holder.
2014.
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