Lexi - Euphemism

Euphemism

the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague word/ expression for an offensive, direct or unpleasant one

an euphemism

an harmless word/ expression used in place of one that may be found offensive, unpleasant

characteristics of euphemism

• fuzziness

• universality

• localization

• contemporaneity

Fuzziness

the quality of being not clear to see/hear, or not being detailed to conceal the truth

Universality

the quality of being found in any language, exist everywhere, involving everyone

Localization

different societies use different ways to think and express things

Contemporaneity

many euphemistic words become contemporary and neutralized, and many euphemisms are created

Types of euphemism

• positive euphemism: to make things sound better

• negative euphemism: to downplay unpleasant

Sources of euphemism

• Foreign words/ Borrowings

• Shortening: Clipping, Blending, Abbreviation

• Abstraction: using vague terms

• Indirection: e.g: unemployed = between works

• Understatements: using milder descriptions

• Lengthy expression: e.g: now = at this point in time

• Phonetic distortion: changing of sounds within words

• Slangs: words used by a certain group of people