Euphemisms
by Connie Kent
Words matter. If I call an activist a “freedom fighter,” you can tell I approve of his activity. If I call him a “terrorist,” you know I don’t. And you know not only how I feel, but also how I hope you feel or how I want you to feel. “Freedom fighter” is a euphemism; “terrorist” is a dysphemism.
A euphemism substitutes a pleasant, mild, or indirect word for a more accurate or direct one that might be offensive. English raconteur Quentin Crisp called euphemisms “unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne.” Here are some examples:
|
What we say |
What we mean |
| Passed away; gone to his reward/ to the other side; danced his last dance | Died |
| Celestial Departure | Death |
| Not the sharpest crayon in the box | Stupid |
| Powder my nose/ go to the bathroom/ answer a call of nature | Urinate or defecate |
| Lavatory/ washroom/ rest room/ ladies room/ powder room | Toilet |
| Correctional Facility | Prison |
| Doing time | In prison |
| Pleasantly plump/ love handles/ portly/ stout | Fat |
| Go all the way | Have sex |
| Vertically challenged | Short |
| Put to sleep/ put down | Euthanize |
| Under the influence/ tipsy/ a bit worse for wear | Drunk |
| Break wind | Fart |
| Between jobs | Unemployed |
| Over the hill/ senior citizen | Old |
| A little thin on top | Bald |
| Montezuma’s revenge | Diarrhea |
| Character lines | Wrinkles |
| Perspire | Sweat |
| Wardrobe malfunction | Oops! |
| In a family way | Pregnant |
| Sanitation engineer | Garbage man |
Dysphemism is the opposite of euphemism. Dysphemism is substitution of a harsh or offensive word for a neutral one in order to make something or someone sound negative, bad, or unlikeable. It is meant to shock or offend. If a euphemism is a shield to protect our sensibilities, a dysphemism is a sword to wound them.
For example, a person who died might have “passed away” (euphemism) or “kicked the bucket” (dysphemism). One’s spouse could be his/her “better half” or a “ball and chain.” Here are some other examples:
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Bureaucrat Government employee Tree hugger Environmentalist Nerd Engineer or IT specialist Pig Police officer Cancer stick Cigarette Pre-owned Used Nutcase Mentally ill
So choose your words carefully. And listen carefully, too, to the ways others – including news casters – choose their words.
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