bastard measles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
very lowobsolete, archaic, colloquial, potentially offensive
Quick answer
What does “bastard measles” mean?
An outdated and now offensive colloquial term for rubella (German measles).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An outdated and now offensive colloquial term for rubella (German measles).
Historically used to distinguish rubella, a typically milder viral infection, from the more severe standard measles (rubeola).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term was historically used in both varieties but is equally obsolete in both. No significant regional distinction in its former use.
Connotations
Historically colloquial and dismissive. Modern connotations are purely negative due to the offensive nature of 'bastard' and the term's archaic, unscientific character.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use, found only in historical texts or by very elderly speakers. Not present in modern medical or general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “bastard measles” in a Sentence
[Patient] has/had/caught bastard measles.It was just a case of bastard measles.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used in modern academic or medical contexts; only of historical linguistic interest.
Everyday
Not used in polite modern conversation. Would cause offense.
Technical
Not used; the correct term is 'rubella'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bastard measles”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bastard measles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bastard measles”
- Using the term in modern contexts.
- Believing it is a current or acceptable medical term.
- Translating the phrase word-for-word into another language.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete and offensive colloquial term for rubella (German measles). Modern medicine exclusively uses 'rubella'.
In translation of historical material, it may be necessary to render the term accurately, often with a footnote explaining its archaic and offensive nature. It should not be used in contemporary writing or speech.
Historically, 'bastard measles' referred to rubella, a different, usually milder viral infection caused by the rubella virus. 'Measles' (rubeola) is caused by a different virus and is typically more severe.
In older, non-scientific English, 'bastard' was sometimes used metaphorically to mean 'inferior', 'spurious', or 'not the genuine article'. It was a folk classification indicating the disease was seen as a milder or false version of true measles.
An outdated and now offensive colloquial term for rubella (German measles).
Bastard measles is usually obsolete, archaic, colloquial, potentially offensive in register.
Bastard measles: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːstəd ˈmiːzəlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbæstərd ˈmiːzəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Bastard' suggests 'not the real/original one' → a historically mistaken view of rubella as a lesser, imitation form of measles.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD (archaic, offensive conceptualization).
Practice
Quiz
Why is the term 'bastard measles' considered inappropriate today?