Euphemisms ‘What are euphemisms and when do we use them? Euphemisms are a type of idiom used to avoid saying words which may offend or be considered unpleasant. They are useful to learn, as they will help you communicate using Janguage which is appropriate for the situation you are in. Euphemisms are used: * to talk about subjects which may upset or offend, such as death. It was obvious he was not long for this world, but he never lost his sense of humour, Igoing to die soon] * to avoid using direct words for body functions. I'm just going to spend a penny. [use the toilet (UK public toilets used to charge a penny.)] « for humorous effect when telling anecdotes. My boss was effing and blinding because he had lost a confidential report. [swearing (some common English swear words begin with f or b) (informal)] How embarrassing! The door opened and my neighbour saw me in my birthday suit / in the altogether! [naked] ‘+ by the media or political institutions to tone down unpleasant situations. Many soldiers have made the supreme / ultimate sacrifice for their country. [died] He died in a friendly fire incident. (killed by his own side, not by the enemy] Other euphemisms euphemism example meaning four-letter words | The play may offend some people,as its full of | swear words (Many of these have fourletter words. four letters in English.) pardon my French | He's such a bloody idiot, pardon my French. | apologies for swearing (humorous) powder my nose _| I'm just going to powder my nose. use the toilet answer the call of | Go behind a tree if you need to answer the | urinate (more direct) nature call of nature, abit on the side | Did you know she had a bit on the side? —_| sexual partner in addition to the person's usual partner play the field He said he's too young to stop playing the | having many romantic or sexual field and settle down, relationships without committing to one partner have abun in the | Guess what! I've got a bun in the ovent F'm pregnant (humorous) oven my number was | | saw the car heading straight for me and! | I was about to die (informal) up thought my number was up. breathe my last | “This is where | was born and where | will die breathe my last, said the old woman. be six feet under | We'll all be six feet under by the time you | be dead (informal) finish writing your novel! 28 English idioms in Use Advanced121 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Exercises Which idioms do these pictures make you think of? Correct the mistakes in these euphemisms. 1 The poet breathed his latest on 20 January 1891. 2 Older dogs need to be let ont more often to answer the cry of nature. 3 He'd only been married for a year before he found himself a bit on the edge. 4 For one dreadful moment I thought my number was over. 5 Thate my daughter's taste in music — it’s full of five-letter words. 6 The old lady asked where she could go to powder her chin. 7 Did you know Marta had a cake in the oven? 8 Don’t be such a bloody fool, pardon my German. Complete each euphemism. 1 I could hear him effing and....... as he was fixing the car. 2 We are here today to honour those airmen who have made the ultimate 3 Laura will be back in a minute. She’s just gone t0 ......0-:neneneneene A PENNY. 4 This problem won’t be solved until we’re all six feet : evvereees 5 ‘Tm afraid that your father may NOt Be nus for this world,’ said the doctor. 6 The nearest toilet is om the right, if you'd like to powder your... Rewrite each sentence using a euphemism from the opposite page. There may be more than one possible answer. 1 She's pregnant. 2 He's naked. 3 Pm just going to the toilet. 4 The old man knew he would soon die. 5 He has lots of girlfriends. 6 He's always swearing... 7 Excuse me for swearing! . 8 We must reduce the number of times we accidentally fire on our own men. The underlined euphemisms below are not on the opposite page. What do you think they mean? Use a dictionary to help you. 1 The doctors have just told him he’s got the big C. 2 Ithink you're being economical with the truth. 3 The cat was so badly injured that we had to have it put to sleep. 4 Why didn’t you tell me your sister was eating for two? 5 Shall we pause the meeting for a comfort break now? English Idioms in Use Advanced 29