The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive:
Euphemism is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling to the listener than the word or phrase it replaces, or in the case of doublespeak to make it less troublesome for the speaker.
When a phrase is used as a euphemism, it often becomes a metaphor whose literal meaning is dropped. Euphemisms are often used to hide unpleasant or disturbing ideas, even when the literal term for them is not necessarily offensive. This type of euphemism is used in public relations and politics, where it is sometimes disparagingly called doublespeak. There are also superstitious euphemisms, based (consciously or subconsciously) on the idea that words have the power to bring bad fortune (for example, not speaking the word "cancer"; see Etymology and Common examples below) and religious euphemisms, based on the idea that some words are sacred, or that some words are spiritually imperiling (taboo; see Etymology and Religious euphemisms below).
Euphemism is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling to the listener than the word or phrase it replaces, or in the case of doublespeak to make it less troublesome for the speaker.
When a phrase is used as a euphemism, it often becomes a metaphor whose literal meaning is dropped. Euphemisms are often used to hide unpleasant or disturbing ideas, even when the literal term for them is not necessarily offensive. This type of euphemism is used in public relations and politics, where it is sometimes disparagingly called doublespeak. There are also superstitious euphemisms, based (consciously or subconsciously) on the idea that words have the power to bring bad fortune (for example, not speaking the word "cancer"; see Etymology and Common examples below) and religious euphemisms, based on the idea that some words are sacred, or that some words are spiritually imperiling (taboo; see Etymology and Religious euphemisms below).
The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression to replace one that might offend or suggest something unpleasant, for example, "he is at rest" is a euphemism for "he is dead."
“Euphemisms such as ‘slumber room’ . . . abound in the funeral business”.
“Euphemisms such as ‘slumber room’ . . . abound in the funeral business”.
by UDAI June 11, 2006
Get the Euphemisms mug.1. a eupherism (you-4-ism) is a re-creation of a cliche, or expression. changing its original form and meaning, to suit an individual situation.... almost always uttered in an intoxicated state.
2.a misplacement of the correct understanding,or mispronunciation, of a term,location,dialect, or musical lyrics etc..which causes mass confusion to all parties within earshot!
2.a misplacement of the correct understanding,or mispronunciation, of a term,location,dialect, or musical lyrics etc..which causes mass confusion to all parties within earshot!
by sir skidmark darwin August 9, 2010
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euthenism • euphenism • Euthanism • Euthemism • euphemism • Ethanism • euphemismic • euphemism treadmill • Eugenism • euphanism
A word used in place of another to make the listener feel more comfortable, and to make the user more socially acceptable.
"Your mother and I had meetings between the sheets last fortnight"
When what you want to say is - "I fucked you mamma until she stained the sheets last night, bitch! "
When what you want to say is - "I fucked you mamma until she stained the sheets last night, bitch! "
by Robert Stewart May 13, 2005
Get the euphemism mug."let's just be friends" is nice for "no, I don't want to go out with you. You're a loser." ( euphemism )
by Nevermind Netherlands September 13, 2007
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When used in blogging or chat, "Dated(euphemism)" is used to mock, criticize, or show dislike for a couple who are going out.
The euphemism in parenthesis is a way to give your opinion that there is/was no love in the relationship, but rather it is/was just based on sex and lust.
It is a very mean thing to write about another person, (but funny)
Can be used in present, past, or future tenses
When used in blogging or chat, "Dated(euphemism)" is used to mock, criticize, or show dislike for a couple who are going out.
The euphemism in parenthesis is a way to give your opinion that there is/was no love in the relationship, but rather it is/was just based on sex and lust.
It is a very mean thing to write about another person, (but funny)
Can be used in present, past, or future tenses
A blog:
After John Doe broke up with Jane last week, he Dated (Euphemism) his new neighbor Jessica. Surprisingly, the relationship did not last.
After John Doe broke up with Jane last week, he Dated (Euphemism) his new neighbor Jessica. Surprisingly, the relationship did not last.
by DEL83183 April 19, 2009
Get the Dated (Euphemism) mug.A "reverse euphemism" is a euphemism that works in such a way as to poke fun at most euphemisms. For example, a euphemism for beating up freshmen is called a "hazing." A reverse euphemism for a place where freshmen were being beaten up would be a "genocide convention."
Bob: Oh, hey, school just let out and it's YMCA night, so I've gotta go take a shit.
Joe: What?
Bob: I mean I actually have to drop the kids off at the pool. Haven't you heard a reverse euphemism before?
Joe: What?
Bob: I mean I actually have to drop the kids off at the pool. Haven't you heard a reverse euphemism before?
by burdettb September 18, 2007
Get the reverse euphemism mug.It is the usage of sarcasm, with a hint of depression. It is a bi-polar person who is normally negative. It is a person who is rebel and doesn't listen to most people. They try make smart questions seem like stupid questions.
Person: Hahaha that joke was SO funny!
Other Person: (fake laughs) o so was it really?
Person: That was just usage of Ethanism.
Other Person: (fake laughs) o so was it really?
Person: That was just usage of Ethanism.
by john909 October 23, 2011
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