Euphemism
Euphemism is the use of a word (or phrase) that replaces another one that one thinks to be too offensive or vulgar.[1][2]
It also may be a replacement of a name or a word, that could reveal a secret or holy and sacred names to the uninitiated. It may also be used to obscure the identity of the subject of a conversation from potential eavesdroppers. A well known example for many is the replacement of Lord Voldemort's name by "You-Know-Who" or "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" in Harry Potter. Some euphemisms are intended to be humorous.
Usage
When a phrase is used as a euphemism, it often becomes a metaphor whose literal meaning is dropped. Euphemisms may be used to hide unpleasant or disturbing ideas, even when the literal term for them is not necessarily offensive. This type of euphemism is used in politics.
Common examples
Examples for euphemisms are:[3][4]
- restroom for toilet (the word toilet was itself originally a euphemism). This is an Americanism.
- mature or golden years for old age or elderly
- police action for undeclared war
- in the club for pregnant
- tired and emotional for drunk (mostly British)
- self-charging hybrid for a hybrid vehicle without the ability to charge the battery from an external power source.
- All plug-In hybrids are also self-charging hybrids, just like all squares are rectangles but not the other way around.
- unibody = Non-replaceable mobile phone battery.
Euphemism Media
Negro is an example of a once-innocuous euphemism that has become outdated and offensive.
Related pages
References
- ↑ EuphemismWebster's Online Dictionary Archived 2007-10-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Miller, Donald F. 1986. The necessity of euphemism. Diogenes. 34: 129-135,
- ↑ Rawson, Hugh 1995. A dictionary of euphemism & other doublespeak. 2nd ed, ISBN 0-517-70201-0
- ↑ Holder R.W. 2003. How not to say what you mean: a dictionary of euphemisms. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-860762-8