The substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
Euphemism is used almost like a mask. It covers up a possibly harsh or offensive term by using a different term that is less offensive and more humble. By applying euphemism, the tone of a passage is altered. A well-known example of euphemism is "passed away" versus "died". While saying the villain "died", the author might choose to say the brave warrior "passed away". The two words, "died" and "passed away" both mean the same thing, but when used in context, tone is changed. In this example the author would want you to look at the death of the villain as a triumph and victory and have a bright attitude towards the death of an evil character. However, if the brave warrior were to die, the author would want you to look at the death with great respect and honor while having a mournful attitude. An example of euphemism can be found in The Stranger. The opening line of the book is "Maman died today." The next sentence includes a telegram reading, "Mother deceased." While in the words Meursault, his mother died, but in the words of a telegram he received, his mother was deceased. This is a great example of how authors can use euphemism to portray a character a certain way. Right away, you can see what kind of person Meursault is through the choice of words.
Other examples of Euphemism:
- Visit the Ladies Room
- Big Boned
- Be Excused
- Gone South
- Kick the Bucket
- No Longer With Us
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