Kaarten: euphemisms | Quizlet

How would you define euphemisms?

A euphemism is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing or troubling to the listener than the word or phrase it replaces. Often times they are used to make a sensitive topic more appropriate (= in polite society).

e.g. Naza propaganda: Final Solution, concentration camp..

Explain the historic link with the date: 1066.

In 1066, The Battle of Hastings took place (=the Norman Conquest of England) and brought French-speaking rulers to power. This introduced many French words into English, especially in formal and polite contexts. Over time, these words were often used as euphemisms to soften or elevate everyday English terms.

Give 2 examples from today's English to prove that link.

1. to perspire/ to transpire => to sweat

2. cow = beef (when it's cooked)

3. sheep = mutton

4. pig = pork

5. menstruate = bleed

In our society in which domain(s) do you find the most euphemisms why?

- Politics: To soften controversial decisions (e.g., "collateral damage" for civilian deaths)

- Business: To avoid negative connotations (e.g., "downsizing" instead of firing employees)

- Healthcare: To reduce emotional impact (e.g., "terminal illness" instead of saying someone is dying)

Give 2 euphemisms that mean "to go on strike".

1. taking industrial action

2. withdrawing our services

What does "neutralize" mean?

to kill

What does "economical with the truth" mean?

to lie

What does "not a non-risk" mean?

risky

What does "non-profit situation" mean?

bankrupt

What does the euphemism: to be an underdog mean?

loser

Whar is a euphemism for rich?

comfortable off

What are euphemisms for poor?

- to be from a deprived background

- hard-up

What are euphemisms for to die?

- to pass away

- to slip away

What is an euphemisms for "rumours & lies"?

disinformation

What is an euphemism for "to be a liar"?

to be economical with the truth

What is an euphemism for "published lies"?

imaginative journalism

What is an euphemism for "hard of hearing"?

deaf

What is an euphemism for "dumb"?

less able

What is an euphemism for "blind"?

visually handicapped

What is an euphemism for "heavy drinker"?

to enjoy a drink

What is an euphemism for "to be an alcoholic"?

have a drink problem

What are euphemisms for "unemployed"?

- unwaged

- economically inactive

- between jobs

What are euphemisms for "old"?

- in your golden yars

- mature

What does the euphemism "withdrawing our services' mean?

going on a strike

What does the euphemism "leisure garden' mean?

A cemetery or graveyard

What does the euphemism ' to be a no scholar' mean?

dumb

What does the euphemism ' the non-industrialized' mean?

poor countries

What does the euphemism ' she's not here today' mean?

she is distracted

What does the euphemism 'you're not as young as you once were' mean?

you're old

What does the euphemism 'to no longer be with us' mean?

dead

What does the euphemism "to be not the most sociable of people" mean?

awkward, introvert

What does the euphemism "to have a frank, open exchange of views" mean?

agreement, discussion

What does the euphemism "pass away' mean?

die

What does the euphemism "Ministry of Defence' mean?

Ministry of War

What does the euphemism "low IQ' mean?

intellectual disability (dumb)

What does the euphemism "companion animal" mean?

a pet

What does the euphemism " disadvantaged senior citizen "mean?

old person

What does the euphemism "working to rule' mean?

A form of protest where workers follow all rules strictly, slowing down work without striking

What does the euphemism "unemployment benefit' mean?

Money given by the government to people who are out of work

What does the euphemism "disabled' mean?

handicapped

What does the euphemism "manly man' mean?

very masculine

What does the euphemism "under the weather' mean?

feeling sick or unwell

What does the euphemism "retirement pension "mean?

Income received after retiring from work, typically from the government or employer

What does the euphemism "lower income brackets"mean?

People who earn less money or are in lower economic classes

What does the euphemism "taking industrial action "mean?

strikes

What does the euphemism "have a dialogue"mean?

to argue, to confront

What does the euphemisms "to powder one's nose" mean?

to pee

What does the euphemisms "to pass away" mean?

to die

What does the euphemisms "a sanitary worker" mean?

a garbage man

What does the euphemisms "vertically challenged" mean?

short

What does the euphemisms "to be visually impaired" mean?

blind

What does the euphemisms "friendly fire" mean?

by the same soldier

What does the euphemisms "the pacification" mean?

the killing

What does the euphemisms "to put down" mean?

to kill

What does the euphemisms "to a sanitary landfill" mean?

garbage dump

What does the euphemisms "pre-owned vehicle" mean?

a used vehicle

What does the euphemisms "to be held back" mean?

to fail/ to flunk

What does the euphemisms "minor flaw in judgment" mean?

a crime

What does the euphemisms "a correctional facility" mean?

jail

What does the euphemisms "to downsize one's position" mean?

to fire

What does the euphemisms "bathroom tissue" mean?

toilet paper

What does the euphemisms "dental appliance" mean?

fake teeth

What does the euphemisms "the mobile home" mean?

trailer

What does the euphemisms "to be up-and-coming" mean?

normadic

What does the euphemisms "to be hearing impaired" mean?

deaf

What does the euphemisms "to be full-figured" mean?

fat

What does the euphemisms "substandard housing " mean?

bad buildings

What does the euphemisms "severe appearance deficit" mean?

ugly