Euphemism
Definition:
The term ‘euphemism’ is used to refer to the literary practice of using a comparatively milder or less abrasive form of a negative description instead of its original, unsympathetic form. This device is used when writing about matters such as sex, violence, death, crimes and "embarrassing". The purpose of euphemisms is to substitute unpleasant and severe words with more genteel ones in order to mask the harshness.. The use of euphemisms is sometimes manipulated to lend a touch of exaggeration or irony in satirical writing.
Example:
Using “to put out to pasture” when one implies retiring a person because they are too old to be effective.
Below are some more examples of Euphemisms
Downsizing - This is used when a company fires or lays off a larger number of employees
Friendly fire - This is used by the military when soldiers are accidentally killed by other soldiers on the same side.
Tipsy - This is a soft way to say that someone has had to much to drink.
Golden years - This is used to describe the later period of life when someone is of old age.
Gone to heaven - This is a polite way to say that someone is dead.
Enhanced interrogation - This is modern euphemism to minimize what by many people would be viewed as torture.
Comments
17 comments postednice site you've got here *thumbs up* i like (^_^)
sharinga drink they call lonliness
Can "jumping in muddy waters" be one? or no? or does it depend.. I kind of confused myself
genteel ?
...severe words with more genteel ones in order to mask the..
It should be gentle, just pointing it out! :)
genteel=quiet and old-fashioned and perhaps slightly boring
it's in the dictionary,look it up :)
im now replying from my class......heped me a lot
If their fat, they have more to love
very useful for my literature lessons. Clear and easy to use
examples
this really helped me understand euphemism!
Kick the bucket
Hand in the dinner pail
Cash in their chips
Hopped the twig
Deceased. Wait..... no
Departed
He/she ____________ their last ___________
Passed
Six Feet Under
Pushing up daisies
Worm food
Coffin jockey
No longer with us
I like this site it helped me with my school work
I had to do a powerpoint on this word in particular (8 slides) with picture books. Kind of challenging to find examples of these in picture books, but oh well.
I have to do a power point on words like these. I didn't understand them and loved the help this gave me.......especialy the examples they were good. I hope to re-use this site some time soon and I'm young not even a teen and get it! :) good job peeps
EUPHEMISMS
- more pleasant expression for an unpleasant idea
example:
She has been sick for three days; she had one drink too many
me too
need more sentences
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