Table of Contents
Introduction
A euphemism is a linguistic device that substitutes a mild or indirect expression for a harsh or unpleasant one, often used to soften the impact of sensitive or taboo subjects. In this article, we will explore this figure of speech, illustrating it with examples from literature. Let’s start with defining euphemism!
What is euphemism?
Euphemism is used to express a mild, indirect, or vague term to substitute for a harsh, blunt, or offensive term. Euphemism is often contrasted with dysphemism. Some euphemisms intend to amuse, while others intend to give positive appearances to negative events or even mislead entirely.
To understand the concept of euphemism, consider the following example: When you tell someone that you are “between jobs,” you are using a euphemism to convey the fact that you are currently unemployed.
In this instance, euphemism serves to soften the directness of the statement, providing a more tactful or subtle expression for a potentially sensitive topic.
Why Do Writers Use Euphemism As a Stylistic Device?
Writers use euphemism as a figure of speech for various reasons:
- Softening Impact: Writers use euphemism to soften the impact of harsh or unpleasant realities, making difficult or sensitive subjects more palatable to readers.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Euphemisms allow writers to navigate cultural taboos and societal sensitivities by providing alternative, less direct expressions for potentially offensive or uncomfortable topics.
- Enhancing Style and Nuance: By incorporating euphemisms, writers can add layers of style and nuance to their language, offering a more creative and subtle approach to conveying complex or delicate ideas.
Common Examples of Euphemism
Here are some common examples of euphemisms that you can find in everyday conversations:
- Letting someone go for firing someone from a job.
- After the restructuring, the company had to let go of several employees.
- Senior citizen for an elderly person.
- The cruise offered special discounts for senior citizens.
- Correctional facility for prison.
- He spent a year in a correctional facility after the incident.
- Economical with the truth for telling a lie.
- The politician was accused of being economical with the truth during the campaign.
- Restroom for a bathroom or toilet.
- Excuse me, where is the restroom in this building?
- Downsizing for laying off employees.
- The company announced downsizing due to economic challenges.
- Visually impaired for blind.
- The organization provides support for visually impaired individuals.
- Pre-owned for second-hand or used.
- We decided to purchase a pre-owned car instead of a brand-new one.
- Vertically challenged for short in height.
- He humorously described himself as vertically challenged, acknowledging his shorter stature.
- Going to the other side for death.
- After a long battle with illness, she peacefully went to the other side.
- Passed away for die.
- My grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep.
- On the streets for being homeless.
- Unfortunately, many veterans end up on the streets after returning from service.
- Between jobs for unemployed.
- After finishing her contract, she found herself between jobs for a brief period.
- Financially challenged for poor or struggling financially.
- The organization aimed to support financially challenged families in the community.
- Comfort station for public restroom.
- The park had a comfort station near the entrance for visitors.
- Enhanced interrogation for torture.
- The government faced criticism for using enhanced interrogation techniques in interrogations.
- Alternative facts for misinformation.
- The spokesperson was accused of presenting alternative facts during the press conference.
- Strategic withdrawal for retreat.
- The army made a strategic withdrawal to regroup and reassess the situation.
- Big-boned for overweight:
- Despite her struggles with weight, she preferred to describe herself as big-boned rather than using more direct terms.
- Had one too many for drink:
- After the celebration, he seemed a bit unsteady on his feet – it was clear he had one too many at the party.
Examples of Euphemism in Literature
Euphemism in literary works uses subtle and indirect expressions, often replacing harsh or unpleasant language, thereby enhancing the tactfulness and aesthetic quality of the writing while addressing sensitive or taboo subjects.
Here is an instance of this figure of speech in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. In this excerpt from William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” Lady Macbeth is advising her husband, Macbeth, on how to behave in order to carry out their plan to murder King Duncan. She urges him to appear welcoming and innocent on the surface (“Look like the innocent flower”) but to hide his true, sinister intentions (“But be the serpent under’t”).
Lady Macbeth
From “Macbeth” by Willima Shakespeare
O never
Shall sun that morrow see –
Your face, my thane, is as a book where men
May read strange matters. To beguile the time,
Look like the time — bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue. Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under’t. He that’s coming
Must be provided for, and you shall put
This night’s great business into my dispatch,
Which shall to all our nights and days to come
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.
Lady Macbeth employs the euphemistic phrase “Must be provided” to delicately refer to the act of assassination, suggesting that necessary preparations, including the killing of King Duncan, must be undertaken. The euphemism serves to veil the harsh reality of the planned violent act, demonstrating Lady Macbeth’s strategic use of language to discuss a sensitive and taboo subject in a more discreet manner.
In the following excerpt from “Antony and Cleopatra,” William Shakespeare uses euphemistic language to suggest that Caesar and Cleopatra had an intimate relationship:
Agrippa: Royal wench!
From “Antony and Cleopatra” By William Shakespeare
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed;
He plowed her, and she cropped.
The speaker, Agrippa, is describing the intimate relationship between Caesar and Cleopatra in a more indirect or figurative manner. Instead of using explicit or graphic language, he employs euphemistic terms like “plowed” to imply sexual activity and “cropped” to suggest Cleopatra’s pregnancy. This allows the speaker to convey the information with a certain level of decorum or restraint
In George Orwell’s novel “1984,” one notable example of euphemism is the term “Ministry of Love.” In the dystopian world of the novel, the Ministry of Love is actually the government’s institution for torture and punishment. The euphemistic name masks the harsh and oppressive nature of the organization, reflecting the manipulation of language for political control in the story.
Another Ephemetistic use of language in George Orwell’s novel is the “Ministry of Truth.” While the name implies a focus on truth and accuracy, this ministry is responsible for propaganda and the alteration of historical records to align with the Party’s narrative. The euphemistic use of “Truth” in the name conceals the ministry’s actual function.
“The Ministry of Truth, which concerned itself with news, entertainment, education, and the fine arts. The Ministry of Peace, which concerned itself with war. The Ministry of Love, which maintained law and order. And the Ministry of Plenty, which was responsible for economic affairs.”
From “1984” by George Orwell
Conclusion
In summary, euphemism is a linguistic device that substitutes a mild or indirect expression for a harsh or unpleasant one. It is used to soften the impact of sensitive or taboo subjects, navigate cultural sensitivities, and enhance style and nuance in language. Utilizing this figure of speech in your writing adds layers of subtlety, allowing for a more tactful and creative expression of complex or delicate ideas, and fostering a nuanced and engaging communication with your audience.
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