WHAT DOES EUPHEMISM MEAN?
A euphemism is a word we substitute for another word which we think is a "bad" word. During the Victorian era, when people were so incredibly uptight about sex or any hint of it, they used the word "limb" instead of "leg". Nowadays we're LOTS looser, and we say the word straight out. But there are still a few for which we use an euphemism, such as for "penis" we use "dick", "pecker", "shaft", etc.
What do these EUPHEMISMS mean?
I know some but I'll write them anyway... correct me if I'm wrong. 1. vertically challenged (short) 2. round the twist (crazy) 3. a sandwich short of a cut lunch (unintelligent) 4. the toot 5. passed into eternal life (died) 6. water the lemon tree 7. at Her Majesty's pleasure 8. a sanitation engineer 9. a tailored financial solution 10. when he opens his wallet, the moths fly out (poor) Also, if you're a pro at euphemisms, what are some for the unpleasantness which takes place in war? and their meanings? Thanks.
Euphemisms?
The best euphemism for a garbage collector has already been given by one of your answerers: "sanitation engineer". The word "engineer" has thus been devalued. In some old department stores there is still a person who operates the elevator. The operator rejoices in the name of "vertical displacement engineer", otherwise known in England as the "lift attendant". Another answerer gave you a nice list of euphemisms for the bathroom: John, Lavatory, restroom, loo, powder room. What you may not have noticed is that "bathroom" is itself an euphemism for the actual water closet (wc) in which the unmentionable business is performed. So, your guest saves himself/herself and you the embarrassment by asking for the "bathroom" when he/she surely does not intend to have a bath. The problem with euphemisms is that in time they too acquire the taint of the objects or acts which they once indirectly named. Hence, 50 years ago in motorways one saw signs to "toilets", then changed to "bathrooms", and then to "restrooms". Nobody stops there to bathe, nor to rest! In time even "restroom" became tainted. Now we only see "comfort stations" in many motorways. At least this one is more accurate, for surely trying to hold back causes enormous discomfort. In pubs I can see the time when the actual wcs are also called "vomitoriums", evolving to "regurgitorium" in due course. One thing I have noticed is that in aircraft they make no bones about bodily functions -- they are either toilets or lavatories, usually the latter for in French the word "toilet" does not connote just the unmentionable.
The word euphemism itself means an understatement.A euphemism is an indirect or mild or politer alternative expression for a normal expression -- especially one considered too blunt (or too accurate) when describing something unpleasant or embarrassing in some way.Examples:downsizing = cutstired and emotional = drunk (euphemism banned in UK journalism)positive non-interventionism = deliberately avoiding intervening in somethingThe British TV series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister contain lots of dialogues full of hilarious political euphemisms.
What does euphemism mean? Please make this a very simple definition.?
For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/UVChZ Absolutely. Consider how the homosexual movement has changed how people perceived the word gay. It's has gone from meaning happy to meaning homosexual. Calling someone gay now can be an insult (and possibly a hate crime.....funny how that's turning out). By making calling their relationships marriage, it totally cheapens the meaning of the word to those who take marriage seriously. Many activists in the homosexual community openly admit that the ultimate goal is the destruction of the traditional family. Read their publications like OUT and The Advocate...you'll find it. One last irony to me. Sorry if it's too religious for some people. They call it the "Gay Pride" movement, yet those I have met are some of the most unhappy people I have ever known. They also fail to realize that pride is mentioned as one of the seven deadly sins. The oxymoron is that claim happy sinfulness, yet are frequently miserable.
He went to shit. He went to the rest room.Which one would you prefer using publicly?Euphemisms are used when the cost of hurting someone is higher than making them understand your direct statement. Sometimes it helps us being diplomatic.Kill the Bastards!Neutralize the enemy! - How Sweet! :)At times to be impolite & ridicule others.He is a little thin on the topBald headOther times to avoid the Big brother's wrath.U.S. went to a war with IraqU.S. went into an armed intervention in Iraq - Like the nice guy!Let's not choke the chicken to death, Shall we? (Let's not hurt others!)
Sight impaired, vision challenged, sightless, alternately sighted…A euphemism, is a phrase or word giving a less 'negative slant', or a positive inference to a phrase or word usually having a somewhat unpleasant association:Can't sing: very unique voiceStinks: Has an unusual scentUgly: Very distinct featuresFat: Jolly, rotund, big boned
What does the Euphemism "rosy portrait" mean?
It's not a euphemism. Candidate A's campaign manager writes a flattering description of A. That's a rosy portrait (as seen by someone wearing rose colored glasses). Candidate B writes a description of Candidate A that is not so rosy. I would not say B's article complicates the rosy portrait but rather contradicts it.
As far as I can tell, it’s ultimately from ancient Greek “phanái”, “to speak or say”.With huge caveats (I’m a random non-linguist skimming wiktionary), the history of “Euphemism” looks roughly like this:Phanái (verb, “to talk”) Phéme (noun, “talk, rumor, prophetic voice”)Eu (adverbial use of “good” [1] ) + phemos (noun? Ca. “ a talking”)= Eúphemos (adjective “good-speaking”, specifically “speaking good prophecies” or “not saying words that bring bad fortune”)Euphemismos (noun, “a goodspeaking”; a word or phrase that avoids a more unfortunate one).That got borrowed into Latin, and eventually surfaced in French as “euphémisme”; English borrowed it from there as “euphemism”.So, to answer the question, “-phemism” is the mangled remains of something resembling “a speaking”.—[1] Normally the adverb would be “well”, but I think the intention is “speaks good things”, not “is good at speaking”. Using “good” as an adverb is obviously wrong, but seems to clarify that difference.