Jon Kelly lists the top 10 “most scandalous euphemisms”:
2. “Discussing Uganda” In 1973, the satirical magazine Private Eye reported that journalist Mary Kenny had been disturbed in the arms of a former cabinet minister of President Obote of Uganda during a party. Variations of “Ugandan discussions” or “discussing Uganda” – the term is believed to have been coined by the poet James Fenton – were subsequently used by the Eye to describe any illicit encounter, and the phrase soon became part of common usage.
Two more choice picks from Jon: “slipping my moorings” and “watching badgers”. These, one should add, are very British. They’re basically inside jokes for an entire country, and Private Eye is their central location.
The Dish 