Oaths Euphemisms
A euphemism is the substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener;[1] or in the case of doublespeak, to make it less troublesome for the speaker.[citation needed] It also may be a substitution of a description of something or someone rather than the name, to avoid revealing secret, holy, or sacred names to the uninitiated, or to obscure the identity of the subject of a conversation from potential eavesdroppers. Some euphemisms are intended to be funny.
Contents [hide]
1 Usage
2 Etymology
3 The "Euphemism Treadmill"
4 Classification of euphemisms
5 The evolution of euphemisms
6 Euphemisms for the profane
6.1 Religious euphemisms
6.2 Excretory euphemisms
6.3 Sexual euphemisms
6.4 Euphemisms referring to profanity itself
7 Euphemisms for death
8 Euphemisms in job titles
9 Doublespeak
10 Common examples
11 See also
12 References
[edit] Usage
When a phrase is used as a euphemism, it often becomes a metaphor whose literal meaning is dropped. Euphemisms may be used to hide unpleasant or disturbing ideas, even when the literal term for them is not necessarily offensive. This type of euphemism is used in public relations and politics, where it is sometimes called doublespeak. Sometimes, using euphemisms is equated to politeness. There are also superstitious euphemisms, based (consciously or subconsciously) on the idea that words have the power to bring bad fortune (for example, not speaking the word "cancer"; see Etymology and Common examples below) and religious euphemisms, based on the idea that some words are sacred, or that some words are spiritually imperiling (taboo; see Etymology and Religious euphemisms below).
[edit] Etymology
The word euphemism comes from the Greek word euphemo, meaning "auspicious/good/fortunate speech/kind" which in turn is derived from the Greek root-words eu (ευ), "good/well" + pheme (φήμη) "speech/speaking". The eupheme was
Contents [hide]
1 Usage
2 Etymology
3 The "Euphemism Treadmill"
4 Classification of euphemisms
5 The evolution of euphemisms
6 Euphemisms for the profane
6.1 Religious euphemisms
6.2 Excretory euphemisms
6.3 Sexual euphemisms
6.4 Euphemisms referring to profanity itself
7 Euphemisms for death
8 Euphemisms in job titles
9 Doublespeak
10 Common examples
11 See also
12 References
[edit] Usage
When a phrase is used as a euphemism, it often becomes a metaphor whose literal meaning is dropped. Euphemisms may be used to hide unpleasant or disturbing ideas, even when the literal term for them is not necessarily offensive. This type of euphemism is used in public relations and politics, where it is sometimes called doublespeak. Sometimes, using euphemisms is equated to politeness. There are also superstitious euphemisms, based (consciously or subconsciously) on the idea that words have the power to bring bad fortune (for example, not speaking the word "cancer"; see Etymology and Common examples below) and religious euphemisms, based on the idea that some words are sacred, or that some words are spiritually imperiling (taboo; see Etymology and Religious euphemisms below).
[edit] Etymology
The word euphemism comes from the Greek word euphemo, meaning "auspicious/good/fortunate speech/kind" which in turn is derived from the Greek root-words eu (ευ), "good/well" + pheme (φήμη) "speech/speaking". The eupheme was
References: ^ Gould, S.J., The Mismeasure of Man, W.W. Norton & Co, New York, 1996, pp. 188--189 ^ American Heritage Dictionary definition of "retarded" via answers.com ^ George Carlin, They 're Only Words, Track 14 on Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics, Atlantic/Wea audio CD, 1990. ^ Random House.com Rawson, Hugh, A Dictionary of Euphemism & Other Doublespeak, second edition, 1995. ISBN R.W.Holder: How Not to Say What You Mean: A Dictionary of Euphemisms, Oxford University Press, 501 pages, 2003 Smyth, Herbert Weir (1920). Greek Grammar. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press, p. 678. ISBN 0-674-36250-0.