Euphemism
Euphemism – a figure of speech in English in which a word or phrase is used to avoid saying an unpleasant or offensive word.
It is used to replace phrasing that can be considered harsh or impolite. A person can say something indirectly by using euphemism without using literal language. So it is an indirect word or expression that you use instead of a more direct one when you are talking about something that is unpleasant or embarrassing.
This figure of speech allows a writer to address sensitive, offensive, or unpleasant subjects in a more delicate or polite manner. Read about Alliteration- A Figure of Speech also.
Examples of Euphemism
“Senior citizen” is a euphemism for”old person”.
• Economical instead of cheap
• economically challenged (poor)
• split (divorce)
• She’s between jobs. — She’s unemployed
• She’s on the streets. — She’s homeless.
• Not the sharpest pencil in the box instead of not smart
• Differently-abled instead of handicapped or disabled
• Vertically-challenged instead of short
• Economical with the truth instead of liar
• Big-boned instead of fat or overweight
• Restroom instead of toilet
• Pregnancy termination instead of abortion
• Mentally challenged instead of retarded
• Visually challenged instead of blind
Check out other Figures of Speech/ LITERARY DEVICES?
- Simple Past Tense: Rules and Examples
- Little vs A Little vs The Little
- Ones vs One’s vs Once: Understanding the Differences
- Homophones with Examples
- Idiom: Bury the Hatchet
- Parts of Speech
- Present Continuous Tense: Rules and Examples
- Using “Was” and “Were”
- The Secret for Correct English Pronunciation
- Speak English Like A Pro
- Common Words with Silent Letters
- How to Crack a Job Interview?
- Make food vs Cook Food
- Common English Mistakes: Test Your Knowledge
- Present Perfect Tense