What is Euphemism? Explain with Examples
Euphemism is the polite expression and it is used in the place of words or phrases that are comparatively unpleasant or harsh. In brief, Euphemism reduces the harshness of a particular word or phrase. It replaces the words which are impolite and it is noticeably used in the daily language.
Additionally, Euphemism is the idiomatic expression that loses its literal meaning and it is used in the sentences to hide the unpleasantness. The objective of using euphemism in the literature is to convey a message skillfully, so that it cannot be barred due to the social censorship. Writers use this literary device to express something which is embarrassing to say clearly.
Examples:
Passed away in the place of died.
Relocation center in the place of prison camp
On the streets in the place of homeless
Downsizing in the place of firing.
He is not poor, he is economically disadvantaged.
She is not fat, she is a curvy woman.
Some more examples where euphemisms are used to make the sentences more polite.
Rest room instead of bathroom
Vertically-challenged in the place of short
Between jobs in the place of unemployed
Economical with the truth instead of liar
Big-boned in the place of overweight
Some Euphemism are used to make the situation less-serious or while presenting something in a sarcastic way.
Bit the farm in the place of died
Croaked instead of died
Kick the bucket in the place of died
Euphemism provides a mask to the impolite or rude expression and conveys the same meaning to the readers by reducing its harshness. However, there are several techniques to use Euphemism in the sentences.
• Sometimes, abbreviation is used.
Example: W.C in the place of toilet, B.O instead of body odor• Euphemisms are abstractions.
Example: Before I go — Before I die• Foreign words are also used in hiding the impolite expressions.
Example: Faux pas- Foolish error• Technical terms are used to hide the rudeness of the words.
Example: Gluteus Maximus in the place of outermost muscle of the buttocks• Some indirect expressions are used in the place of the direct ones.
Example: rear-end — unmentionable• Sometimes, long phrases or words are used to hide the unpleasant expressions.
Example: Mentally challenged in the place of stupid.
The use of Euphemism in the Literature:
William Shakespeare used euphemism in his many literary works such as ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ and ‘Othello’. Additionally, John Donne used Euphemism smartly in his poem, ‘The Flea’. The examples of this literary device are also seen in the George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”,
“For the time being,” he explains, “it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations.”
Here, instead of ‘reduction’, ‘readjustment’ is used to suppress the rudeness.
