What is a euphemism?

We grow up learning nothing but good morals and generally being virtuous. This process of learning slowly breeds and raises a strong urge in us to uphold decency in both our actions and conversations. This is probably why we find it hard talking about some issues, which I may prefer to call “natural issues”, and opt to use words that indirectly refer to these issues. I’m talking about illness, death, pregnancy, sex, losing a job among others. Isn’t it quite rude and may be cruel to blatantly tell someone who has lost a loved one, let’s say a cousin, that, “Your cousin is dead?” As much as it is true, it is considered rude to use such direct and plain words in such situations. That is why we use a euphemism. Let’s look at its definition.

The definition of euphemism

Euphemism is a literary device. It is an innocuous word that is used in the place of a word or phrase that may be considered offensive. Euphemism comes from the Greek word Euphemia which refers to the use of the “words of good omen.”

Euphemism is not limited to speech only, it is also used in writing. Here are a few examples of its uses.

Examples of sentences with the use of euphemism

For the case of death, instead of using the words “dead or died,” you can use:

Passed away

Resting in peace

Dearly departed

Put to rest

You can use the following words to refer to a toilet:

Washroom

Restroom

Bathroom

Water closet

Porcelain throne

Sex is quite a hard subject to address directly, here are some words you can use to refer to sex:

Sleeping around (for cheating)

Afternoon delight (afternoon sex)

Sleeping with

Doing it

Making whoopee

The following words are used to refer to common behaviors, attributes, and characteristics of people:

Under the weather instead of sick

With child instead of pregnant

Late bloomer instead of behind grade level

Well-fed instead of overweight

Running a little behind instead of late

Time of the month instead of menstruating

Aging instead of growing old

Break wind instead of pass gas or fart

William Shakespeare and other great writers were known to use euphemism along with other techniques and other literary devices (such as puns and colloquial figures of speech) in their writing to address sensitive topics. William Shakespeare uses the euphemism “the beast with two backs” in Othello to refer to sex.

The uses of euphemism in writing

To reveal the traits of a character

The reader can tell from a character’s speech what type of personality they have. Therefore if a character uses euphemisms in their speech, it may show the reader how courteous the character is.

It provides a variety in the choice of words

Through euphemism, a writer can say the same thing in countless different ways (provided the said words are polite or innocuous).

To introduce humor

The writer can use euphemism humorously. For example, in fiction. Your main character is sent to check on a kidnapped character, but then he finds that the kidnappers have tortured the kidnapped character. It would be humorous to use the euphemism “enhanced interrogation” to mean torture. For example, “I see you have been engaging my client in enhanced interrogation.”

Sources

https://writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary/euphemism
https://literarydevices.net/euphemism
https://literarydevices.net/euphemism