W
Whip
Guest
ufanism
Mixed reaction - they hated it
Mixed reaction - they hated it
S
Spacer
Guest
..
"but let me say this......"
I'd like to avoid your question and talk about something completely different"
"but let me say this......"
I'd like to avoid your question and talk about something completely different"
M
Marion
Guest
We had a "full and frank discussion" at the meeting
all hell broke loose!
Marion :hat
all hell broke loose!
Marion :hat
Brendan Burgess
Founder
- Messages
- 52,181
"Couldn't be easier"
"Obviously..."
"Fool-proof"
Once I see any of these expressions, I know I am lost.
Brendan
"Obviously..."
"Fool-proof"
Once I see any of these expressions, I know I am lost.
Brendan
X
XX
Guest
Euphemisms, from the Greek euphemos, meaning 'sounding good'
The orininal quiestion refered Euphemisms not cliches. The following might be useful.
www.theanswerbank.co.uk/A...ry_id=null
Calling a spade a shovel: euphemisms
Q. What-isms?
A. Euphemisms, from the Greek euphemos, meaning 'auspicious' or 'sounding good'. The dictionary definition of a euphemism is 'an agreeable or inoffensive word or expression substituted for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant'.
Q. Such as?
A. 'He passed away' as opposed to 'he died'. In fact death is one of the greatest springboards for linguistic gymnastics - for obvious reasons, really. So we have, for example - and with due respect to the Monty Python 'Parrot Sketch' - 'he's left this vale of tears', 'he's gone to meet his Maker' or 'he's gone to a better place'.
Q. What other subjects cause us to euphemise?
A. We all do it, probably without even realising it, constantly - particularly when we're in the company of people we don't know well. And never more so when talking about bodily functions and sex. So we go to 'the little boys' room', 'powder our noses', catch 'social diseases', 'are in the family way', employ the services of 'ladies of the night' and so on.
Euphemisms are not to be confused with slangy or colloquial phrases for such things, which are often subversive versions of a euphemism, and are intended to amuse or even - in complete contrast to the whole concept of the euphemism - to shock.
Q. So, what else?
A. 'Politically correct' language has spawned its own vocabulary of verbal evasion. Although done with the best of intentions, speaking of 'vertically, visually, aurally challenged people in a non-gender-specific way without reference to ethic origin or anything else that might prejudice the listener or reader against the subject' can be very difficult to get right. However, we've all pretty much got used to saying 'chair' for chairman or chairwoman, so it can be done.
The other great area for euphemism is swearing. What to say - should you need that added emphasis - in front of children or parents or anyone else who might take offence has given rise to a whole catalogue of words and phrases which sound just enough like the real one to be recognised but which are, in themselves, inoffensive. Also, in the days before it was acceptable to swear routinely on TV, in films or on the page it was the only way past the censor.
Here are a few examples:
blooming
janey mack (an Irish way of getting around blasphemy)
gordon bennet
cripes
crumbs
christmas
gosh
golly
flipping
flaming
beggar
rack (as featured in the classic Australian prison soap Prisoner: Cell Block H, whose sensitive inmates constantly tell each other to 'rack off')
Q. What's a euphemism for euphemism, then?
A. Trope, the metaphorical use of a word, or circumlocution, speaking around a subject without ever quite directly addressing it, are about as close as it gets.
For that 'Parrot Sketch' in full, go to
X[]X
The orininal quiestion refered Euphemisms not cliches. The following might be useful.
www.theanswerbank.co.uk/A...ry_id=null
Calling a spade a shovel: euphemisms
Q. What-isms?
A. Euphemisms, from the Greek euphemos, meaning 'auspicious' or 'sounding good'. The dictionary definition of a euphemism is 'an agreeable or inoffensive word or expression substituted for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant'.
Q. Such as?
A. 'He passed away' as opposed to 'he died'. In fact death is one of the greatest springboards for linguistic gymnastics - for obvious reasons, really. So we have, for example - and with due respect to the Monty Python 'Parrot Sketch' - 'he's left this vale of tears', 'he's gone to meet his Maker' or 'he's gone to a better place'.
Q. What other subjects cause us to euphemise?
A. We all do it, probably without even realising it, constantly - particularly when we're in the company of people we don't know well. And never more so when talking about bodily functions and sex. So we go to 'the little boys' room', 'powder our noses', catch 'social diseases', 'are in the family way', employ the services of 'ladies of the night' and so on.
Euphemisms are not to be confused with slangy or colloquial phrases for such things, which are often subversive versions of a euphemism, and are intended to amuse or even - in complete contrast to the whole concept of the euphemism - to shock.
Q. So, what else?
A. 'Politically correct' language has spawned its own vocabulary of verbal evasion. Although done with the best of intentions, speaking of 'vertically, visually, aurally challenged people in a non-gender-specific way without reference to ethic origin or anything else that might prejudice the listener or reader against the subject' can be very difficult to get right. However, we've all pretty much got used to saying 'chair' for chairman or chairwoman, so it can be done.
The other great area for euphemism is swearing. What to say - should you need that added emphasis - in front of children or parents or anyone else who might take offence has given rise to a whole catalogue of words and phrases which sound just enough like the real one to be recognised but which are, in themselves, inoffensive. Also, in the days before it was acceptable to swear routinely on TV, in films or on the page it was the only way past the censor.
Here are a few examples:
blooming
janey mack (an Irish way of getting around blasphemy)
gordon bennet
cripes
crumbs
christmas
gosh
golly
flipping
flaming
beggar
rack (as featured in the classic Australian prison soap Prisoner: Cell Block H, whose sensitive inmates constantly tell each other to 'rack off')
Q. What's a euphemism for euphemism, then?
A. Trope, the metaphorical use of a word, or circumlocution, speaking around a subject without ever quite directly addressing it, are about as close as it gets.
For that 'Parrot Sketch' in full, go to
X[]X
X
XY
Guest
No it didn't
Oh no it didn't!
It referred to "euphisms" n. nonsensical statement, often misspelled, to convey a false sense of superiority
And don't forget that old rule - "It's always, ie except after c, but there are some wierd exceptions"
Oh no it didn't!
It referred to "euphisms" n. nonsensical statement, often misspelled, to convey a false sense of superiority
And don't forget that old rule - "It's always, ie except after c, but there are some wierd exceptions"
X
XXYKlinefelter
Guest
euphism or euphemism
Hi XY, do you have a source for your definition of euphism?
Klinefelter
Hi XY, do you have a source for your definition of euphism?
Klinefelter
B
Bongo
Guest
ufamistic swear words
XX,
Interesting post. More swear words:
Sugar
Effin
Feck
XX,
Interesting post. More swear words:
Sugar
Effin
Feck
G
Guest
Guest
ufamistic swear words
www.websters-dictionary-o...huism.html
Euphuism
Noun
1. Any artificially elegant style of language.
2. An elegant style of prose of the Elizabethan period; characterized by balance and antithesis and alliteration and extended similes with and allusions to nature and mythology.
www.websters-dictionary-o...huism.html
Euphuism
Noun
1. Any artificially elegant style of language.
2. An elegant style of prose of the Elizabethan period; characterized by balance and antithesis and alliteration and extended similes with and allusions to nature and mythology.
T
Teacher
Guest
Un
The prefix "un" is the most common youf.
E.g.
Ungenerous - mean
Unkind - cruel
Unwell - ill
Untrue - false
Unfriendly - hostile
etc. etc.
I am not aware of any uses of "un" to make a negative word positive - unmean, uncruel, unill, unfalse, unhostile just sound unright.
The prefix "un" is the most common youf.
E.g.
Ungenerous - mean
Unkind - cruel
Unwell - ill
Untrue - false
Unfriendly - hostile
etc. etc.
I am not aware of any uses of "un" to make a negative word positive - unmean, uncruel, unill, unfalse, unhostile just sound unright.
G
Guest
Guest
Unburdened?
Unencumbered?
Unencumbered?
D
Dracula
Guest
Undead
:lol
:lol
X
XXYKlinefelter
Guest
Euphuisms
Jackie Healy Rae is just one big flowery ball of Euphuism
Klinefelter
thanks unregestered for the explaining the meaning of the word.
Jackie Healy Rae is just one big flowery ball of Euphuism
Klinefelter
thanks unregestered for the explaining the meaning of the word.
N
Natchessmen
Guest
Re: Euphuisms
Friendly fire ... Euphuism for poorly trained US army gunning down allies.
Friendly fire ... Euphuism for poorly trained US army gunning down allies.
Y
YID
Guest
Emergency
Irish description of World War II
Irish description of World War II
S
Sean
Guest
Estate Agents
Taken from an estate agents' brochure:-
"The house is in need of complete restoration and modernisation and awaits creative purchasers with inspiration and a sense of adventure."
In other words, it's a wreck!
Taken from an estate agents' brochure:-
"The house is in need of complete restoration and modernisation and awaits creative purchasers with inspiration and a sense of adventure."
In other words, it's a wreck!