euphemism literary definition

To speak around an uncomfortable topic. In fact, Orwell’s creation of the term “doublethink” has become a well-known euphemism for the types of distortions that many politicians and media personalities use to explain their positions, which may be hypocritical.

In a better place; pass away; meet your maker—to die, In a family way; with child; bun in the oven—to be pregnant, Riding the crimson wave; visit from Aunt Flo; period—menstruation, Gosh darn it; what the F; holy shiiii; beyotch—curse word modifications, Three sheets to the wind; wasted; go on a bender—drunk. New York: Harper Perennial. In Tom Hanks's web series Electric City, the use of profanity has been censored by the word expletive. mild phrases which substitute unpleasant ways of saying something sad or uncomfortable Frequently, over time, euphemisms themselves become taboo words, through the linguistic process of semantic change known as pejoration, which University of Oregon linguist Sharon Henderson Taylor dubbed the "the euphemism cycle" in 1974. For example, utilizing the word “pass” as a figure of speech rather than the literal term “die,” underscores the feeling in the poem of the passage of time in addition to the passage of poet. Using direct speech that describes something literally. For instance, one reason for the comparative scarcity of written evidence documenting the exterminations at Auschwitz, relative to their sheer number, is "directives for the extermination process obscured in bureaucratic euphemisms". Here is a short list of euphemistic expressions and the thing they refer to: Note that after time some words cease to seem like euphemisms and instead seem like they refer directly to the thing itself (for example, period). Here is an example of understatement versus euphemism in describing someone who has the stomach flu: Calling the stomach flu “just a little cold” is an example of understatement, understating just how serious the illness is. Euphemisms may be used to mask profanity or refer to taboo topics such as disability, sex, excretion, or death in a polite way. Euphemisms are used in literature just as they are used in everyday speech: to soften otherwise difficult or harsh situations with nicer phrases. Euphemisms are used daily to discuss delicate or sensitive subjects. A euphemism replaces a “bad” term with a “good” one. Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew, "Affirmative Action: A Euphemism for Racial Profiling by Government", "The Supreme Court tangles over euphemisms for affirmative action", "Shields and Brooks on the CIA interrogation report, spending bill sticking point", "Transcript of interview with CIA director Panetta", "America Must Atone for the Torture It Inflicted", "Obscene, Indecent and Profane Broadcasts", http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/berk, "Return of Rongelapese to their Home Island – Note by the Secretary", "Wannsee Conference and the "Final Solution, Why We Have So Many Terms For 'People Of Color', "George Carlin's stand up act: Euphemism", "Shazbot! This page was last edited on 12 October 2020, at 16:01. The fact that he “destroys the faith” of his employee, though, shows that the euphemism does not have the softening effect intended. Instead, politically correct phrasing is meant to express something in a more direct and respectful way. '” These euphemisms add to the poetic value of this stanza. In the animated TV special Halloween Is Grinch Night (see Dr. Seuss), a child asks to go to the euphemism, where euphemism is being used as a euphemism for outhouse. Euphemisms are often used in everyday speech to soften difficult situations. Foreign words may be used to replace an impolite expression, such as faux (fake), or faux pas (foolish error). Euphemisms may be used to amuse, downplay the severity of a situation, or conceal the speaker’s embarrassment about something. Definition of Euphemism. The term euphemism refers to polite, indirect expressions that replace words and phrases considered harsh and impolite, or which suggest something unpleasant. The coining and usage of euphemisms reveals what the coiner or speaker/writer considers, perhaps only sub-consciously, to be shameful, and may thus be an indication of prejudices or opinions held. Understatements express something in a less extreme way, or make it sound less important than it is in reality. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire. Learn more. 10 Types Of Nouns Used In The English Language. They can be used humorously or to downplay or mask a situation, causing some to find the device deceitful or counterproductive. Tag: euphemism literary definition.

A great many were euphemisms. Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. Euphemism is an idiomatic expression, which loses its literal meanings and refers to something else, in order to hide its unpleasantness. _taboola.push({ In order to do so, he must use appropriate word choice. Euphemism is a literary and rhetorical term that refers to a word or term that makes another word or term less harsh. Euphemisms are especially common in reference to bodily functions and illegal behavior, and to substitute for curse words. This device is used when writing about matters such as sex, violence, death, crimes and things “embarrassing”.
They can be used to shelter children from adult subjects, avoid awkward moments of truth with loved ones, and avoid politically incorrect phrasings in public. Or as some people call it…. This is comedy based on a cold humor, detached, euphemistic, devoid of any generosity. Because of the delicate nature of the subject, sexual behavior is often euphemized in text.

Therefore, euphemism should be carefully and appropriately selected by writers in order to be effective. They may be created for innocent, well-intentioned purposes or nefariously and cynically, intentionally to deceive and confuse. In this quote from Salinger’s novel, the main character Holden Caulfield is questioning one of his fellow students, Stradlater, about his date with a girl named Jane. It is said that on this occasion they were first called Eumenides (“the kindly”), a euphemistic variant of their real name. As a result, the poet lives on in the memory of others in the poem and is immortalized by the poem itself. 100 Most Creative and Hilarious English Euphemisms. Sometimes, they are abstractions, such as before I go (before I die). All rights reserved. However, Holden can’t bring himself to directly ask Stradlater what happened on their date, and especially whether Stradlater and Jane had sex. In the 20th century, where the old euphemisms lavatory (a place where one washes) or toilet (a place where one dresses[19]) had grown from long usage (e.g. However, when Yzma questions his statement, he replies with a string of euphemisms for someone losing their job: Um, how else can I say it? Figurative language through euphemism can allow readers to feel less confronted as they might by harsh, literal wording. 4. As we’ll see, people are often criticized for using euphemisms to avoid the plain truth, especially if they’re just doing it to make themselves sound better. Copyright © 2020 Literary Devices. Several techniques are employed to create euphemism. May 7, 2020 May 7, 2020 Entertainment by Igor.

The song goes on to list an impressive total of sixty-eight euphemisms! For example, the French word enceinte was sometimes used instead of the English word pregnant;[12] abattoir for "slaughter-house", although in French the word retains its explicit violent meaning "a place for beating down", conveniently lost on non-French speakers. Here is an example of innuendo versus euphemism when discussing a woman with a provocative “hourglass” figure: She’s got a healthy figure, if you know what I mean. Modifications include: To alter the pronunciation or spelling of a taboo word (such as a swear word) to form a euphemism is known as taboo deformation, or a minced oath. The use of “gone” as a euphemistic figure of speech reinforces the permanence of death as lack of physical presence.

A euphemism replaces a “bad” term with a “good” one. Another example in American English is the replacement of colored with Negro (euphemism by foreign language),[20] then the "honest" non-euphemistic form "Black" making a brief appearance (due to 1960s political forces attempting to normalise black skin) before being suppressed again by the present euphemistic "African American". The euphemism is a way for Iago to explain the news without being too graphic. Take your pick. ‘Give her the time in Ed Banky’s goddam car?’. This parrot is no more! In Isaac Asimov's Foundation series, the curses of the scientist Ebling Mis have all been replaced with the word unprintable. They have no meaning as stand alone phrases without the context of the literal abstraction. To exaggerate the importance of a touchy subject. B.

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