EUPHEMISMS

Name : Edwin Wladimir Ruano Villarreal

Matter : Listening and Speaking
Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja
 EUPHEMISMS

• Definition
• A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or phrase that is used in place of one that is considered
hurtful or offensive; for example, golden years for old age or economic disadvantage for the
poor. Other types of euphemisms, rather than cover up, inflate or magnify, make something
sound more important or grandiose than it is: technical representative for seller, for example, or
handcrafted for handmade.
• People use euphemisms to protect themselves and what others say from the harsh realities of life
• The most common euphemisms

• Old ☞ Older person.

• Blind ☞ Blind.
• Die ☞ Pass away.
• Silly ☞ Silly.
• Give birth ☞ Give birth.
• Crisis ☞ Economic slowdown.
• Homeless ☞ Homeless
• Cuts ☞ Budget adjustments
• Insane asylum ☞ Psychiatric hospital
• Let someone go ☞ fire.
 EXAMPLES
• to answer the call of nature – to pee
• → Please excuse me, but I have to answer the call of nature
• to be in reduced circumstances – bankrupt
• → After his company was closed, Ben was left in reduced circumstances.
• to put to sleep – euthanize
• → I don’t know how to tell the kids we had to put Rex to sleep
• ●to be tired and emotional – to be drunk
• → Don’t mind Beth… she is just a bit tired and emotional
•  to downsize – to lay off
→ I’ve heard the company is going through a downsizing
• to be doing time or to be in a correctional facility – to be in jail 
→ Orange is the New Black takes place in a correctional facility.
 BIOGRAPHY
https://www.openenglish.com/blog/es/significado-de-eufemismo-en-ing
les/
https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/grammar/idioms-cliches-jarg
on-slang-euphemisms-and-wordiness/euphemisms