Lesson 2: Euphemism
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This document discusses euphemisms, which are polite or indirect words used to discuss embarrassing or difficult topics. It provides examples of euphemisms used instead of more direct but potentially offensive terms, such as "put down" instead of "killed" for a sick pet, or "senior citizen" instead of "old person". Over time, euphemisms themselves can become offensive as attitudes change, so new indirect terms are often adopted. While euphemisms aim to soften language, some argue they can undermine recognition of serious issues.
Lesson 2: Euphemism
- 1. “Word is the only weightless thing on earth that makes one feel heavy.”
- 2. Euphemism Made up of three bound morphemes:, all Greek in origin: eu (good) + phem(voice) + ism (act/result)
- 3. Euphemisms A euphemism is a word or expression that is used when people want to find a polite or less direct way of talking about difficult or embarrassing topics. We had our sick dog killed We had Fido put down/put to sleep. Fat person stocky/heavy person overweight person* Ugly person plain person He is lazy He is not working to his full potential or He has a relaxed attitude about his work She is disruptive She has difficulty concentrating He is loud and arrogant He has strong opinions about everything and is not afraid to voice them Poor person needy, under-privileged, disadvantaged or economically deprived. Crippled handicapped disabled* Housewife domestic engineer Old person senior; elderly Secretary Administrative assistant * Note that sometimes euphemisms are replaced by further euphemized words/phrases General information and examples Adapted from: http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/easy/euphem.htm 06/29/18
- 4. Examples of Euphemisms 1.garbage man sanitation engineer 2. old people senior citizen 3. pregnant in the family way 4. die pass away 5. the dead the deceased /the late 6. burier undertaker / mortician 7. lunatic asylums mental institutions
- 5. Connotations change "Idiot," and "moron"Connotations change "Idiot," and "moron" were once neutral terms for those of limitedwere once neutral terms for those of limited mental ability.mental ability. Negative connotations tend to crowd outNegative connotations tend to crowd out neutral ones, so the phrase mentallyneutral ones, so the phrase mentally retarded was pressed into service to replaceretarded was pressed into service to replace them. Now that, too, is considered rude.them. Now that, too, is considered rude. A similar progression occurred withA similar progression occurred with lame → crippled → handicapped →lame → crippled → handicapped → disabled → physically challenged →disabled → physically challenged → differently ableddifferently abled
- 6. Comedian George Carlin gave a famousComedian George Carlin gave a famous monologue of how he thoughtmonologue of how he thought euphemisms undermine attitudeseuphemisms undermine attitudes towards serious issues. For example:towards serious issues. For example: Shell shock (World War I)Shell shock (World War I) Battle fatigue (World War II)Battle fatigue (World War II) Operational exhaustion (Korean War)Operational exhaustion (Korean War) Post-traumatic stress disorderPost-traumatic stress disorder (Preferred since Vietnam)(Preferred since Vietnam)
- 7. Sanitary landfill forSanitary landfill for garbage dumpgarbage dump Ill-advised forIll-advised for bad decisionbad decision Pre-owned vehicles forPre-owned vehicles for used carsused cars A student being held back a gradeA student being held back a grade level for havinglevel for having failedfailed.. Correctional facility forCorrectional facility for prisonprison Enhanced interrogation techniqueEnhanced interrogation technique forfor torturetorture..