Euphemism . Rhetorical Figure that consists of substituting a term or phrase that has unpleasant connotations, to hide the vulgarity or crudeness, by using other less offensive words. It is an instrument that reinforces double standards and serves as an attenuator of prejudices.
Summary
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- 1 Definition
- 2 Etymology
- 3 Common examples
- 1 Common examples of euphemisms
- 4 Sources
Definition
Politically acceptable or less offensive word or expression that substitutes for another word in bad taste or taboo , which may offend or suggest something unpleasant or pejorative to the listener. It can also be the word or expression that substitutes for secret or sacred names to avoid revealing these.
Some euphemisms are intended to be comical. It occurs when it is intended to use harmless words or expressions to disorient, evade, or avoid being aware of a crude and unpleasant reality. Often the euphemism itself is considered vulgar, eventually to be replaced again.
It should be noted that the euphemism does not always replace slang words in a language , but often substitutes words that are accepted in normal use, but for some reason are considered taboo. The opposite of a euphemism is a dysphemism .
Etymology
The word euphemism comes from the Latin euphemismusla or from the Greek word euphemo which means “favorable / good / lucky speech” and which is derived in turn from the Greek roots eu (εὗ), “good / good” + pheme (φήμί) ” talk)”. Eupheme was originally a word or phrase used in place of a religious word or phrase that should not be spoken aloud; Etymologically, eupheme is the opposite of blasphemy (demonic speech).
The first example of taboo words that require the use of a euphemism are the unspeakable names of some deities such as Persephone , Hecate or Nemesis .
Common examples
Euphemisms are widely used in political language , to avoid possible offenses to groups of individuals. They are common in politics to camouflage or make unpopular policies sound more natural, or reduce the impact of communicating an economic crisis . Euphemisms are also used to soften blasphemies: in French you have parbleu instead of par Dieu .
In Spanish you have deuce instead of devil and sos ten or replacing God in several blasphemous expressions. By using a euphemism, a politician can hide a decision that would be unpopular and present his proposals as something more tolerable by society . For example: “To guarantee growth it is necessary to make a tax adjustment” is a euphemism that can be said instead of “We are going to increase taxes in the face of the crisis” .
Another form of use in international relations, when there are armed conflicts. The phrase “collateral damage” masks the innocent deaths caused by war . Society is more tolerant of the idea that a bombing caused “significant collateral damage” rather than hearing that such an attack “resulted in the death of 200 civilians.” “Operation” instead of “invasion” is another euphemism in the war environment.
