Euphemisms in English

As much as mysterious and unfamiliar to you sounded the term «euphemism», in fact, each of us uses these words almost every day. Just someone familiar with the concept of «euphemism», while others only came into contact with him. To remove the veil of mist with such outlandish words as «euphemism» (euphemistic) in English, let’s look at its definition.

What is a euphemism in the English language?

«Euphemism» in English and in other languages, too, are called neutral in meaning and emotional coloring descriptive word or expression which is usually resorted to the texts and public statements to replace others that are considered unacceptable or inappropriate words and phrases. Therefore, there is a «euphemism» from the Greek words, which are generally translated as «harmony.»

To put it in other words, or the definition of a simple language, you get the following: In any language, there are rude, lewd, obscene (obscene) words, the so-called taboo lexicon, we try not to use in speech or in print. But this lexical layer of language, will not escape from him and trying to distance itself from him is not necessary. This is a normal living language. So to mention those words, but they do not directly call and need euphemisms. The same principle applies to the words, simply undesirable in certain situations or words that originally do not say because of superstitious reasons, for example.

As an example, a classic euphemism. Not always we can use in speech the word «pregnant» woman. Although it is not rough language, but somewhere it may sound incorrect, but somewhere and gone. Therefore, in the Russian language, and there are such expressions as «expecting a child», «position». In the Ukrainian language, if I am not mistaken, there is a phrase ‘won during vazhkoyu. » In English — expecting a baby, in a delicate condition, in a certain position, bagged, eating for two, the word pregnant.

Euphemisms in English needed for swear words, names of «obscene» parts of the body, mental and physical abilities, appearance, age, definition of social and financial status, and terms etc. In this sense, the British and the Americans are more considerate than we do, for example. We quite happily use the word «disabled» and they try to use such euphemisms in English as disabled, handicapped, which are translated «disability with disabilities.» Or another option: after all, would not be more appropriate to call the old man (old), but rather «in the years» (mature / advanced in years). Or the definition of ‘thick »(fat) is replaced by» overweight »(overweight). These euphemisms in English help to significantly mitigate the negative «load» on the floor.

What other euphemisms in English? And that is undesirable to say out loud?

As an example, take a few euphemisms in English are included in the English-Russian Dictionary taboo language called ABC of Dirty English: Foreigner’s Guide. Immediately apologize for the given language, but we are working with the euphemisms, so can not do without it. That is what the authors of the dictionary lexical units offer us a substitute inappropriate words:

• brothel (bordel / house of prostitution) — accomodation house, beauty parlour
• whore (prostitute) — escort, lady of pleasure / of leasure / of the evening / of the night
• sex organs (genitals) — apparatus, nether parts, bits, down there; Men — lady-wear, women — gate of life
• penis (cock) — baby-maker
• ass (buttocks / bum) — after
• sex (have sex) — have contact with somebody
• venereal disease (veneral disease) — communicable disease
• defecate (defecate) — do one’s business, use paper

And all of this area. I think you understand what is at stake. If we leave this layer, and a touch inappropriate or tactless words, we find that a lot of euphemisms in English concern questions of death and the dead. For example, instead of «to die» (die) can say «pass away» (decease), «to move to another world» (pass away) or «to go to a better world» (join the majority / better / silent). It is not always appropriate to use the word «dead» (dead / corpse). Come to the aid of words such as «passed away» (the deceased), «late» (the late).

When we want to say that stupid people (stupid), pick a euphemism not clever. When we define somebody as evil (evil), select not kind. Not to point out someone’s poverty, we would rather use the «low-income» (needy). Euphemisms in English are always present in our lives. We often do not notice how to use them in speech and unconsciously choose the option that sounds harmonious. And it is right. Still, tact and moral standards has not been canceled.

 

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