EUPHEMISM

Welcome to this lecture headed “EUPHEMISM”. We will be discussing all about euphemism. Enjoy your lecture.

The term euphemism means polite, indirect expressions which are used in place of words and phrases taken to be harsh and impolite or which propose something objectionable.

Euphemism is an idiomatic expression which loses its factual meanings and means something else in order to hide its repulsiveness.

For instance “kick the bucket” is a euphemism that is used to denote the death of a person.

In addition, a lot of organizations make use of the term “downsizing” for the upsetting act of “firing” employees.

Euphemism depends majorly on the social context of the speakers and writers where they feel the necessity to replace particular words which may prove embarrassing for specific listeners or readers in a specific situation.

Procedures for forming Euphemism

Euphemism covers a rude or ill-mannered expression but passes the concept visibly and courteously.

A number of techniques are used to produce euphemism. It can be in the form of abbreviations e.g. B.O. (body odor), W.C. (toilet) etc.

Overseas words may be utilized to replace an ill-mannered expression like. faux (fake), or faux pas (foolish error) and so on.

Often times, they are abstractions like before I go (before I die).

They may as well be indirect expressions replacing direct ones which may echo offensive like rear-end, unmentionables and so on.

Making use of longer words or phrases can as well mask distasteful words like flatulence for farting, perspiration for sweat, mentally challenged for stupid etc.

The use of technical terms may decrease the rudeness shown by words like gluteus maximus.

Intentionally mispronouncing an unpleasant word may reduce its severity e.g. darn, shoot and so on.

Examples of Euphemism in Everyday Life

Euphemism is regularly used in day by day life. Let us look at a few common euphemism examples:

Okoye is becoming a little thin on top (bald).

Mrs. Okon is in the family way (pregnant).

He is constantly tired and emotional (drunk).

We do not employ mentally challenged (stupid) people.

Examples of Euphemism in Literature

1. Examples of euphemism referring to sex are found in William Shakespeare’s “Othello” and “Antony and Cleopatra”.

In “Othello”, Act 1 Scene 1, Iago tells Brabantio:

“I am one, sir, which comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.”

Here, the expression “making the beast with two backs” refers to the act of having sex.

In the same way, we observe Shakespeare making use of euphemism for sexual intercourse in his play “Antony and Cleopatra”.

In Act 2 Scene 2, Agrippa says about Cleopatra:

“Royal wench!

She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed.

He plowed her, and she cropped.”

The word “plowed” mean the act of sexual intercourse and the word “cropped” is a euphemism for becoming pregnant.

2. John Donne in his poem “The Flea” employs euphemism says:

“Mark but this flea, and mark in this,

How little that which thou denies me is;

It suck’d me first, and now sucks thee,

And in this flea our two bloods mingled be.

Thou know’st that this cannot be said

A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead;

Yet this enjoys before it woo,

And pamper’d swells with one blood made of two;

And this, alas! is more than we would do.”

In order to convince his beloved to sleep with him, the speaker in the poem tells her how a flea bit both of them and their blood was mixed in it. This is a euphemism.

3. “The Squealer”, a character in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, makes use of euphemisms to assist “the pigs” achieve their political ends.

To make known the cutback of food to the animals of the farm, Orwell quotes him saying:

“For the time being,” he explains, “it had been found necessary to make a readjustment of rations.”

Substituting the word “reduction” with “readjustment” was an endeavor to repress the complaints of other animals about hunger.

It works due to the fact that reduction means “cutting” food supply while readjustment implies altering the present amount of food.

Uses of Euphemism

Euphemism assists writers to pass those ideas which have become a social taboo and are too embarrassing to talk about directly.

Writers dexterously select suitable words to use and discuss a subject indirectly which if not are not published as a result of strict social censorship like religious fanaticism, political theories, sexuality, death and so on.

Therefore, euphemism is an essential useful tool that permits writers to write figuratively about the libelous issues.

Euphemism Examples

Euphemism Used for Amplification Or Exaggeration

Secretary – executive assistant, personal assistant

School – academy, conservatory

Boss – manager, supervisor, director

Garbage Collector – sanitation worker, waste disposal worker

Janitor – caretaker, custodian, warden

Euphemisms for Speaking respectfully And civilly

Fat – chubby, full-figured, plump, voluptuous, overweight, big boned

Remedial – special needs, developmental

Poor – underprivileged, unable to make ends meet, modest, financially embarrassed

Handicapped – physically challenged, disables, differently abled, crippled

Homeless – displaced, dispossessed, adrift

Military Attack – armed intervention, collateral damage

Bathroom – be excused, restroom, public conveniences

Unemployed – between the jobs

Vomit – blow chunks, lose your lunch

Pregnant – bun in oven, in the club, in the family way

Bankrupt – in reduced circumstances

Blush – color up

Lying – economical with the truth

Lover – gentleman friend

Illegitimate – the wrong side of the blanket

Drunk – tired and over-emotional

Short-sighted – visually challenged

Arguments – full and frank discussion, have words with someone

Junk mail – direct mail

Wiretapping and bugging – electronic surveillance

Eliminating people from racial or national backgrounds – ethnic cleansing

Penalty – disincentive

Defecate – do your business

Intercourse – hankie pankie

Sick – indisposed

Theft – inventory leakage

Trailer park – mobile community

Salesperson – personal representative

Prostitute oneself – turn a trick

Making sex – making whoopee

Stolen – fallen off the back of a lorry

Prostitute – lady of the night, escort service

Be sterile – shoot blanks

Genital – private organs

Taxes – revenue enhancement

Used or second hand – pre-owned

Abortion – pregnancy termination

Prison – correction facility

With large sexual organs – well-endowed, well-hung

Rebels – freedom fighters

Bad stinking breath – halitosis

Masturbation – one off the wrist, spanking the monkey

Wrinkles – character lines

Brothel – house of ill repute

Adult entertainment – pornography

Homosexual – batting for the other side

Sexual reproduction – the birds and the bees

Urinate – spend a penny

Feces – night soil

Have sex for money – turn a trick

The urge to urinate – the call of nature

Fire employees – furlough employees

A couple engaged in sex – The beast with two backs

Gambling – gaming

Cannabis – pot

Offer sex – your place or mine?

Lame, crippled, disabled, handicapped, physically challenged – differently abled

Refusal of offer of sex -not tonight Rita

Taking something apart to see how it works and then copying it – reverse engineering

Small people – restricted growth

Sue – take legal action

Prison Camp – relocation center

Ban – downsize

Lodger – paying guest

Be promiscuous – sleep around

Brief sex – wham bam and thank you ma’am

Slaughterhouse – abattoir

Maid – domestic engineer

Homeless – on the streets

Slow Internet Speed – shaped

Sick – under the weather

Lazy – unmotivated

For a retirement home – assisted living facility

Drink – imbibe

Stolen goods – it fell off the back of a truck

Euphemisms For Death

Asleep with Jesus, bite the dust, cement shoes, bills of mortality, called home, deceased, feeling no pain, cross over to the other side, go to one’s last home, go to the last roundup, on the heavenly shores, run down the curtain, peg out, breathe one’s last, give up the ghost, sprouted wings and taking a dirt nap.

Meet your marker, six feet under, popped his clogs, snuff it, kick the bucket and pushing up daisies. 

Thanks for reaching to this point marking the end of this lecture.

Your Lecture Master:

Mst. Ugonwanne Joshua