EUPHEMISM

DEFINITIONS:
A mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is
unpleasant or offensive.
The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that
may offend or suggest something unpleasant.
A Study in Connotation and Doublespeak.
A neutral or positive expression instead of one that carries negative
associations.

WORD ORIGIN:
Made up of three bound morphemes; all Greek in origin:

eu (good)
phem (voice)
ism (act/result)

From the Greek word euphemia, meaning use of good omen.

HISTORY OF EUPHEMISM:
Etymologically, euphemism means speaking with good words. Euphemism
originally denoted the avoidance of words of ill omen at religious ceremonies,
but it was subsequently taken up by grammarians to signify the substitution of
a less for a more offensive word.
EXPLANATION:
The term euphemism refers to polite, indirect expressions which replace words
and phrases considered harsh and impolite or which suggest something
unpleasant.
Euphemism is an idiomatic expression which loses its literal meanings and
refers to something else in order to hide its unpleasantness. For example, kick
the bucket is a euphemism that describes the death of a person. In addition,

many organizations use the term downsizing for the distressing act of firing
its employees.
Euphemism depends largely on the social context of the speakers and writers
where they feel the need to replace certain words which may prove
embarrassing for particular listeners or readers in a particular situation. These
are used to soften an expression. Euphemisms are used in order to make a
blunt or unpleasant statement a soft one.
SEVEN TYPES OF EUPHEMISM
Euphemisms, words or phrases that substitute for provocative or emotionally
charged terms, are employed for various reasons:
1.ABSTRACT: Some euphemisms serve to distance people from unpleasant or
embarrassing truths, as when we say that a dead person passed away or a
celebrity who has canceled an appearance is suffering from exhaustion. For
example we use Differently abled instead of handicapped or disabled.
2.INDIRECTION: A euphemism may replace an explicit description of an
action, as when people speak of going to the bathroom. For instance we use
Use the rest room instead of go to bathroom.
3.LITOTES: Sometimes, euphemism occurs in the form as idea is softened or
minimized by a double negative, as in the reference to someone as being not
unattractive. For example Negative patient instead of dead.
4.MISPRONOUNCIATION: Alteration of pronunciation is a form of euphemism,
as when we say frigging or shoot, or jeez or cripes, so as not to offend people
by using profanity (figurative or literal). These types of euphemisms, involving
rhyme, alliteration, or shortening, are also called minced oaths.
5.MODIFICATION: A bluntly offensive noun can be transformed into a
euphemism by converting it to an adjective, as in saying someone has
socialist leanings rather than labeling them a socialist outright.
6.PERSONIFICATION: One form of euphemism is when things that some
people prefer not to mention candidly, such as genitals, are assigned personal
names.
7.SLANG: Much of slang, derived to produce a vocabulary exclusive to a social
group, is euphemism, for example in the use of joint for marijuana (itself a
slang term, derived from the Spanish names Mary and Juana closely related
to Mary Jane, yet another euphemism).
EXAMPLES:
TO SOFTEN AN EXPRESSION:

Some euphemisms are used in order to make a blunt or unpleasant truth seem
less harsh.
Examples of euphemisms that fall into this category include:

Passed away instead of died

Correctional facility instead of jail
Departed instead of died
Differently-abled instead of handicapped or disabled
Fell off the back of a truck instead of stolen
Negative patient outcome instead of dead
Relocation center instead of prison camp
Collateral damage instead of accidental deaths
Letting someone go instead of firing someone
Put to sleep instead of euthanize
On the streets instead of homeless

TO BE POLITE:
Other euphemisms are used to take the place of words or phrases you might
not want to say in polite company.
Examples of euphemisms that fall into this category include:

Big-boned instead of heavy or overweight

Portly instead of heavy or overweight
Chronologically-challenged instead of late
Use the rest room instead of go to the bathroom
Break wind instead of pass gas
Economical with the truth instead of liar
Powder your nose instead of use the rest room
Between jobs instead of unemployed
Domestic engineer instead of maid
Sanitation engineer instead of garbage man
Vertically-challenged instead of short

EUPHEMISMS TO BE IMPOLITE:
In some cases, euphemisms are intentionally a grosser or less pleasant way of
saying something. These are usually used when people are being sarcastic or
trying to make light of a serious subject or make it seem less serious.
Examples include:

Bit the big one instead of died

Bit the farm instead of died
Cement shoes instead of dead
Bit the dust instead of died
Croaked instead of dead
Kick the bucket instead of die
Blow chunks instead of vomited

TECHNIQUES FOR CREATING EUPHEMISM

Euphemism masks a rude or impolite expression but conveys the concept
clearly and politely. Several techniques are employed to create euphemism. It
may be in the form of abbreviations e.g. B.O. (body odor), W.C. (toilet) etc.
Foreign words may be used to replace an impolite expression e.g. faux (fake),
or faux pas (foolish error) etc. Sometimes, they are abstractions e.g. before I go
(before I die). They may also be indirect expressions replacing direct ones
which may sound offensive e.g. rear-end, unmentionables etc. Using longer
words or phrases can also mask unpleasant words e.g. flatulence for farting,
perspiration for sweat, mentally challenged for stupid etc. Using technical
terms may reduce the rudeness exhibited by words e.g. gluteus maximus.
Deliberately mispronouncing an offensive word may reduce its severity e.g.
darn, shoot etc.
SIGNIFICANCE:

Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne

(Quentin crisp)
More often than not, while writing, we may have thought of not using a
particular word or phrase being considered as too direct, harsh, unpleasant or
offensive. Instead, we would have had to use a different word or phrase to
make it seem more acceptable in a general sense. If so, what we did was that
we used Euphemistic language, which is used to replace harsh, unpleasant or
inappropriate language. Hence there is a need and importance of Euphemism
in our writing.
Euphemisms are used in a variety of situations for numerous reasons, such as,
not to hurt anybodys feelings, not to convey unpleasant or inappropriate
message, or to make a polite reference to physical or psychological disability of
the people.
Euphemism is an indirect word or phrase that people often use to refer to
something embarrassing or unpleasant. In this way, the use of euphemism is to
make it seem more acceptable than it really is. It is also a word or phrase used
in place of a term that might be considered too direct, harsh, unpleasant, or
offensive.
On the basis of evergreen or topical writings, the sole purpose of our writing on
the interment is to enlarge readership and to convey right message and useful
information pertaining to various aspects of everyday life of individuals so that
everyone may be benefited and delighted accordingly, we should be careful
about our writing. We should use appropriate language. We should not convey
such a message that is offensive or hurts somebodys feelings. Whenever such
situation arises that makes you think that the particular word is incorrect or
inappropriate, you should replace it with more appropriate and acceptable or
general word to convey the message properly.
The euphemism for, to die is: "pass away, go to ones final rest and depart
this life" or for lie the euphemism is disinformation etc. So, if we wish to
sharpen our writing we should use inoffensive synonym always. Also, socially,

you may need to use some euphemisms if you don't want to offend someone.

Thus, it would be rightly said that euphemism is of a great need and

importance in our writing and speaking.