Euphemisms
Notes
A euphemism is a word or phrase that is substituted for another word or phrase considered offensive or upsetting. The word euphemism comes from a Greek term meaning “to use words of good omen.” People use euphemisms in an attempt to hide a reality they find unpleasant, or to politely communicate something that another person might find offensive.
Why do certain words become taboo or forbidden, while other words with the same meaning are acceptable? There is no simple answer, because the role that language plays in our lives is so complex. One thing is certain, though. There is nothing inherent in any word that makes it good or bad. Words become acceptable or offensive only because people give them those qualities.
Some words become taboo because they refer to experiences we find psychologically overwhelming. The more terrifying the experience, the more euphemisms we are likely to devise for it. For example, we have dozens of ways of talking about death without using that word. Some of our euphemisms for death are respectful, such as departed, breathed her last, went to her final reward, and met his Maker. Some are neutral, like passed on, passed away, and deceased. Others are humorous: kicked the bucket, bought the farm, and cashed in his chips are all flippant ways of reducing the horror of death.
Euphemisms can demonstrate sensitivity to the feelings of others. But euphemisms can also obscure meaning. Language can provide a veil to hide behind. A boss would rather “excess” an employee than “fire” her, not because it makes the employee feel any better but because it makes the boss feel better. A government does not like to think of itself as “invading” another country, for example. It will make an incursion, or liberate the country instead. It is wrong to be the aggressor in a way, and invasion is a very aggressive word.
The state and federal government are particularly creative in generating euphemisms: prison guards have become “correctional officers,” budget deficits are “negative growth,” and taxes are sometimes called “revenue enhancement.” This tendency has also spilled over into the general public in the language of advertising. Secondhand clothes are now sold as “vintage clothing,” and used cars are called “previously owned” or “pre-driven.”
1. Replacing euphemisms: The following words are commonly used euphemisms. Come up with a word or phrase that is a more direct way of saying the same thing.
a. Restroom f. sanitation engineers
b. passed on g. work stoppage
c. underprivileged h. expecting
d. senior citizens i. resting places
e. custodian
2. Creating euphemisms: The following expressions are ways of reporting student’s behavior on report cards. Come up with a euphemism to report the phrase with a somewhat less harsh expression.
- awkward and clumsy f. cheats
- too free with fists g. lazy
- could stand more baths h. selfish
- lies i. often late
- steals j. is a bully
3. Researching word origins. Make two columns on a sheet of paper. Write the column titles Plain and Fancy at the top of the page. Decide which word in each of the following pairs belongs in each column. Then find each word in a dictionary. Write L next to the word if it is derived from Latin. Write OE if it is derived from Old English—that is, if it has Anglo-Saxon roots. What patterns do you notice?
eat/dine
spit/expectorate
love/cherish
cheap/inexpensive
achieve/win
beef/cow
pig/pork
work/career
veal/calf
father/parent