Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Education And Learning
  4. / Education Subjects
  5. / English Grammar
  6. / More English Grammar

by Answerbag Lover on February 13th, 2007

Answerbag Lover

Question

Help answer this question below.

What is an euphemism?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 10 helpful answers below.

  • by Drublic on February 13th, 2007

    Drublic

    A euphemism is a metaphorical or metonymic use of an expression in place of another expression that is disagreeable or offensive. They very commonly describe sexual acts. For a random euphemism see this sit http://walkingdead.net/perl/euphemism

    http://www.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsAEuphemism.htm
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphemism

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Garythesnail on February 13th, 2007

    Garythesnail

    An euphemism are words or expressions which are used instead of harsh or blunt words. (GOOD QUESTION!)

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by -Ben 10- on February 15th, 2007

    -Ben 10-

    The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by tripwire on February 13th, 2007

    tripwire

    It's like when military spokesmen use terms like "Collateral damage" when what they really mean is, "Large numbers of dead women and children who were just trying to survive when a bomb went astray and blew them all to hell!" That's a euphemism.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Halskiisaklink on February 13th, 2007

    Halskiisaklink

    'Polite' words used to either hide or beautify the real meaning. For example, the American media refers to American snipers as 'sharpshooters' to avoid the negative connotations. Also, because a lot of Americans have problems with the word fart, the Mythbusters had to refer to it as a 'flatus' in a like-minded experiment.

    A good example of a euphemistic statement, populised by either Marylin Munroe or Mae West is "Is that a banana in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" Happy to see me = horny. Or, a man-woman one developed by me, "Are those coffee-beans sticking through your t-shirt or are you just happy to see me".

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on August 13th, 2008

    Sheriff Raff -Answerhag

    saying someone was "sexually assaulted" instead of raped.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Nice on February 26th, 2007

    Nice

    eg... He passed away. (instead of died)

    I slept with him (sex) and now I'm expecting.(pregnant)

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by In London from 3-31 to 4-7--GTA Master on February 26th, 2007

    In London from 3-31 to 4-7--GTA Master

    "Can I wash my winky in your kitchen sinky?"-Little Nicky when he was getting possessed by his brother! That was a good movie.

    "I wanna give him a mouth hug!"-I forgot where I heard that, but you can guess what I mean. If you don't, then comment me and I'll just right out say it.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Halliburton Shill on August 13th, 2008

    Halliburton Shill

    Along tripwire's military/combat line:
    http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/912020

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by singwell-is off researching a lot on February 13th, 2007

    singwell-is off researching a lot

    One of the funniest euphemisms I have encountered is one for "toilet". Now we all know many of these, but this person avoided them all and just asked "Can I use your euphemism?"

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading What is an euphemism?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Euphemism for happy
An euphemism
What is a euphemism
What is an euphemism
Euphemism i

Answerbag

a Demand Media company