# A euphemism is the substitution of a mild, inoffensive, relatively uncontroversial phrase, for a frank expression that might offend or otherwise suggest something unpleasant to the audience.
# The word euphemism comes from the Greek word ευφημία (euphemia), meaning "the use of words of good omen", which in turn is derived from the Greek root-words eu (ευ), "good/well" + pheme(φήμι) "speech/speaking". The term euphemism itself was used as a euphemism by the ancient Greeks, meaning "to keep a holy silence" (speaking well by not speaking at all).
# Euphemisms and Dysphemisms are two rhetorical devices that are quite common. A Euphemism is a “positive” spin; it takes a word, phrase, or concept and makes it sound either neutral or more positive. For example, we spin “death” and “died” more positive or neutral by phrases like, “bought the farm,” or “he’s pushing up daisies.” Car dealerships no longer sell “used cars” they sell “pre-owned vehicles.” That brings me to dysphemisms; they are the “negative” slant. So in the above example, the “freedom fighter” phrase would be a euphemism, and the “terrorist” phrase would be a dysphemism, just as an example.
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~ Euphemism: "making something sound better"~ Dysphemism: "making something sound worse"
# A euphemism is used as an alternative to a dispreferred expression, in order to avoid possible loss of face: either one's own face or, through giving offence, that of the audience, or of some third party.
#It is used when people want to find a polite or less direct way of talking about difficult or embarrassing topics like death or the bodily functions. Most people, for example, would find it very difficult to say in plain language.
# They are a universal feature of language usage; all cultures typically use them to talk about things they find terrifying. Similarly, we use euphemisms to express taboos, as we feel, on some instinctual level, that the euphemism keeps us at safe distance from the taboo itself. Another use of euphemisms is to elevate the status of something. but in general, we use euphemisms to express what is socially difficult to express in direct terms.
Short Glossary of Words and Their Euphemisms
stupid - slow teacher - educator small - quaint, cozy, petite vagrant - homeless person venereal disease- social disease victim - casualty wrong - improper, questionable, impropriety (n) totalitarian - authoritarian tramp - homeless person ugly - unattractive, modest, plain person - representative, individual perspire, perspiration- sweat police officer - peace officer poor children - at-risk children poor nation - emerging nation, developing nation, third-world nation poor student - underachiever, underperformer poor - low-income, working class, modest, underprivileged power failure - service interruption prison - correctional facility prisoner - inmate, convict, detainee problem - issue, challenge, complication |
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