The word longtail is a euphemism used on the Isle of Man to describe a rat, as it is considered bad luck to mention this word. The origins of this superstition date far back, possibly to a time when many Manx people lived off the sea, where it was a sign of trouble when the rats were leaving the ship. Even today many people will be shocked and even offened at its utterance. Local, and socially acceptable alternatives include joey, ringie, queerfella, iron fella and roddan (a Manx word).

latviešu sinonīmu vārdnīcā, redz, tāda vārda kā 'žurka' nemaz nav. un, ziniet, uz mirkli sajutos kā drūmākais profs, pēc īsa pārdomu un apmulsuma brīža izrokot no atmiņas dzīlēm tādu vārdu kā 'plikaste'. sīkums, bet patīkami.