What is "innuendo"

Innuendo \In`nu*en"do\, n.; pl. Innuedoes(?). [L., by intimation, by hinting, gerund of innuere, innutum, to give a nod, to intimate; pref. in- in, to + -nuere (in comp.) to nod. See Nutation.]

1. An oblique hint; a remote allusion or reference, usually derogatory to a person or thing not named; an insinuation.

   Mercury . . . owns it a marriage by an innuendo.
   --Dryden.

   Pursue your trade of scandal picking; Your innuendoes, when you tell us, That Stella loves to talk with fellows.
   --Swift.

2. (Law) An averment employed in pleading, to point the application of matter otherwise unintelligible; an interpretative parenthesis thrown into quoted matter to explain an obscure word or words; -- as, the plaintiff avers that the defendant said that he (innuendo the plaintiff) was a thief.
   --Wharton.

   Note: The term is so applied from having been the introductory word of this averment or parenthetic explanation when pleadings were in Latin. The word ``meaning'' is used as its equivalent in modern forms.

   Syn: Insinuation; suggestion; hint; intimation; reference; allusion; implication; representation; -- Innuendo, Insinuation.

   Usage: An innuendo is an equivocal allusion so framed as to point distinctly at something which is injurious to the character or reputation of the person referred to. An insinuation turns on no such double use of language, but consists in artfully winding into the mind imputations of an injurious nature without making any direct charge.

1670s, "oblique hint, indiscreet suggestion," usually a deprecatory one, from Latin innuendo "by meaning, pointing to," literally "giving a nod to," ablative of gerund of innuere "to mean, signify," literally "to nod to," from in- "at" + nuere "to nod" (see numinous). Originally a legal phrase (1560s) from Medieval Latin, with the sense of "to wit." It often introduced the derogatory meaning alleged in libel cases, which influenced its broader meaning. As a verb, from 1706.

n. 1 A derogatory hint or reference to a person or thing. An implication or insinuation. 2 (context logic English) A rhetorical device with an omitted, but obvious conclusion, made to increase the force of an argument.

1. n. an indirect (and usually malicious) implication [syn: insinuation]

2. [also: innuendoes (pl)]

An innuendo is an insinuation or intimation about a person or thing, especially of a denigrating or a derogatory nature. It can also be a remark or question, typically disparaging (also called insinuation), that works obliquely by allusion. In the latter sense the intention is often to insult or accuse someone in such a way that one's words, taken literally, are innocent.

According to the Advanced Oxford Learner's Dictionary, an innuendo is "an indirect remark about somebody or something, usually suggesting something bad, mean or rude", such as:'' "innuendos about her private life" or "The song is full of sexual innuendo". ''

The term sexual innuendo has acquired a specific meaning, namely that of a "risqué" double entendre by playing on a possibly sexual interpretation of an otherwise innocent uttering. For example: "We need to go deeper" can be seen as either a request for further inquiry, or a request to go deeper into an intimate part.

In the context of defamation law, an innuendo meaning is one which is not directly contained in the words complained of, but which would be understood by those reading it based on special knowledge.

Innuendo is the fourteenth studio album by the British rock band Queen, first released on 5 February 1991. Produced by David Richards and the band, it was the band's final studio album to be released in Freddie Mercury's lifetime and also their last to be composed entirely of new material. It reached the number-one spot on the UK album charts and stayed at that position for two weeks, and also peaked at number-one in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, staying at number-one for three weeks, four weeks, six weeks, and eight weeks, respectively. It was the first Queen album to go gold in the US upon its release since The Works in 1984.

The album was recorded between March 1989 and November 1990. In the spring of 1987, Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS, although he kept his illness a secret from the public and denied countless media reports that he was seriously ill. The band and producers were aiming for a November or December release date in order to catch the crucial Christmas market, but Mercury's declining health meant that the release of the album did not take place until February 1991. Stylistically, Innuendo is in some sense a return to Queen's roots, with its harder rock sound, complex musical composition (title track), psychedelic effects (" I'm Going Slightly Mad"), and strong vocals from Mercury ranging over four octaves. Nine months after the album was released, Mercury died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from his AIDS.

The album cover was designed by Queen and Richard Gray. The booklets and single covers from the album are by Grandville, or are inspired by his illustrations. Innuendo was voted the 94th greatest album of all time in a national 2006 BBC poll.

An innuendo is a figure of speech which indicates an indirect or subtle, usually derogatory implication in expression; an insinuation.

Innuendo may also refer to:

• Innuendo (album), a 1991 music album made by Queen
  • "Innnuendo" (song), the opening track of the album
• Innuendo (band), a Malaysian R&B trio

Innuendo is a Malaysian band, best known for their remake of the Carefree's evergreen ballad, "Belaian Jiwa", and most recently, their 70s style single, "Only Dancin'".

Innuendo is one of Malaysia's premier R&B groups, formed in 1992 when a love for R&B and Soul music brought Reymee bin Mohamed Hussein (born on November 15, 1976), Shamshul Azhar bin Nazeer, and Ahmad Tajuddin Bin Mohamed Tahir (born on August 27, 1974) and Saiful Amir bin Abdul Wahab (born on November 1, 1971) together. As a multi award winning group which contributed in re-introduction of boy-band scenes locally, Innuendo also successfully re-introduced a cappella tunes to Malaysian audiences after decades of being unheard on mainstream media. After the departure of the fourth member, Sam on August 20, 2002, this local harmony quartet-turned-trio continued with a new album, BrandNuEndo, and performed at award shows including AIM 2002 (Anugerah Industri Musik 2002) where they also picked up an award, and venues around the country including at Planet Hollywood every Sunday in August 2002.

"Innuendo" is a 1991 single by the British rock band Queen. It is the opening track on the album of the same name, and was released as the first single from the album. The single went straight to Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1991.

At six and a half minutes, it is one of Queen's epic songs and their longest ever released as a single, exceeding " Bohemian Rhapsody" by 35 seconds. The song has been described as "reminiscent" of "Bohemian Rhapsody" because it was "harking back to their progressive rock roots". It features a flamenco guitar section performed by Yes guitarist Steve Howe and Brian May, an operatic interlude and sections of hard rock that recall early Queen, in addition to lyrics inspired in part by lead singer Freddie Mercury's illness; although media stories about his health were being strenuously denied, he was by now seriously ill with AIDS, which would claim his life in November 1991, 10 months after the single was released.

Accompanied by a music video featuring animated representations of the band on a cinema screen akin to Nineteen Eighty-Four, eerie plasticine figure stop-motion and harrowing imagery, it has been described as one of the band's darkest and most moving works. AllMusic described the song as a "superb epic", which deals with "mankind's inability to live harmoniously".