euphemism

[Anonymous]

can you give me examples of euphemism?

[Casiopea]

can you give me examples of euphemism?

"euphemism" is an expression used in place of another expression that is disagreeable or offensive. Many euphemisms fall into one or more of these categories:

Foreign terms: "derriere" (ass), "copulation" (sex)
Abbreviations: "SOB" (son of a bitch)
Abstractions: "go" (deficate)
Indirections: "behind" (ass), "unmentionables" (genitals)
Longer words: "perspire" (sweat)
Mispronunciation: "goldarnit" (God damn it)

More EXAMPLES
"collateral damage" (civilian casualties)
"unplanned landing" (plane crash)
"spontaneous energetic disassembly" (explosion)
"protective custody" (imprisonment without judicial proceedings)
"bathroom" (toilet)
"gay" (homosexual)
"gosh" (God)
"gee" (Jesus)
"pass away" (died)
"darn" (damn)
"dog gone" (God damn)
"heck" (hell)
"shoot" (shit)
"jiminee christmas" (Jesus Christ)

Click here to read more...

[Natalie27]

can you give me examples of euphemism?

"euphemism" is an expression used in place of another expression that is disagreeable or offensive. Many euphemisms fall into one or more of these categories:

Foreign terms: "derriere" (ass), "copulation" (sex)
Abbreviations: "SOB" (son of a bitch)
Abstractions: "go" (deficate)
Indirections: "behind" (ass), "unmentionables" (genitals)
Longer words: "perspire" (sweat)
Mispronunciation: "goldarnit" (God damn it)

More EXAMPLES
"collateral damage" (civilian casualties)
"unplanned landing" (plane crash)
"spontaneous energetic disassembly" (explosion)
"protective custody" (imprisonment without judicial proceedings)
"bathroom" (toilet)
"gay" (homosexual)
"gosh" (God)
"gee" (Jesus)
"pass away" (died)
"darn" (damn)
"dog gone" (God damn)
"heck" (hell)
"shoot" (shit)
"jiminee christmas" (Jesus Christ)

Click here to read more...

in addition to all this it's good to mention that politicians are masters of euphenisms. Just a few examples to show you how it works in politics and what comes out of it:

poor people = underprivilaged people
welfare=social restraint
handicapped=mentally and physically challeneged
a gay spouse=significant other
a black person living in the States is called African-American


it's very important for the politicians to speak in that fashion because they don't want to offend anyone and being "vague" is in. In other words, you choose something "milder" to replace something that might offend the listener.

how to use a eupemism when desribing someone short and fat?

"That guy is both vertically and horizontally challenged.

sounds better, doesn't it? less likely to offend someone.

similarily, instead of calling someone stupid, you can say:

Doesn't have all his dogs on one leash.
Her sewing machine's out of thread.
the elevator doesn't go all the way to the top.

etc, etc.

These expressions have become extremely popular in the recent years.

[Casiopea]

in addition to all this it's good to mention that politicians are masters of euphenisms.

Agreed. :D In the news:

weapons of mass destruction (give us your oil)
global peace (give us your oil)
global leader (give us your oil)
freedom and democracy (give us your oil)

Need anyone say more...

[Tdol]

We come in peace?

[Francois]

Who cares about foreign politics, he has no match for running a budget.

FRC

[Natalie27]

Who cares about foreign politics, he has no match for running a budget.

FRC

You've got that right! He has NO match for running the country's budget all right... Bush took over the office and the Americans have been in the red ever since. The 200 billion dollars on the war in Iraq hasn't helped things much either...

weapons of mass destruction (give us your oil) = let's blame it on someone = "honorable deception"
global peace (give us your oil) = our way (USA) or highway!
global leader (give us your oil) = pond scum!
freedom and democracy (give us your oil)= Patriots Act! (he he he)

have a nice!

[Tdol]

In the UK,politicians exposed for having affairs generally find the need to 'spend more time with their family', which normallyinvolves resigning.

[Natalie27]

In the UK,politicians exposed for having affairs generally find the need to 'spend more time with their family', which normallyinvolves resigning.

That doesn't even work in the States! Remember Clinton and the "cigar" story? Man, even the impeachment strategy didn't work.
Soooo, Mr Prsident, how would you describe your relation with Miss Lewinski:
"Ehhhm, I did NOT have sexual relations with Mz Lewinski".

Yeah, right!

In any case, I'd better get back on track here...the "grammar track", that is, or I will be booted out of here...

[Francois]

On the grammar side, there are many things to be said about the man

FRC