Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
euphemism [yoo-fuh-miz-uh m] Word Origin noun
- the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
- the expression so substituted: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”
Origin of euphemism 1650–60; Greek euphēmismós the use of words of good omen, equivalent to eu- eu- + phḗm(ē) speaking, fame + -ismos -ism Related formseu·phe·mist, nouneu·phe·mis·tic, eu·phe·mis·ti·cal, eu·phe·mi·ous [yoo-fee-mee-uh s] /yuˈfi mi əs/, adjectiveeu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly, eu·phe·mi·ous·ly, adverbun·eu·phe·mis·tic, adjectiveun·eu·phe·mis·ti·cal, adjectiveun·eu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverbCan be confusedeuphemism euphuism British Dictionary definitions for euphemist euphemism noun
- an inoffensive word or phrase substituted for one considered offensive or hurtful, esp one concerned with religion, sex, death, or excreta. Examples of euphemisms are sleep with for have sexual intercourse with; departed for dead; relieve oneself for urinate
- the use of such inoffensive words or phrases
Derived Formseuphemistic, adjectiveeuphemistically, adverbWord Origin for euphemism C17: from Greek euphēmismos, from eu- + phēmē speech Word Origin and History for euphemist euphemism n.
1650s, from Greek euphemismos “use of a favorable word in place of an inauspicious one,” from euphemizein “speak with fair words, use words of good omen,” from eu- “good” (see eu-) + pheme “speaking,” from phanai “speak” (see fame (n.)).
In ancient Greece, the superstitious avoidance of words of ill-omen during religious ceremonies, or substitutions such as Eumenides “the Gracious Ones” for the Furies (see also Euxine). In English, a rhetorical term at first; broader sense of “choosing a less distasteful word or phrase than the one meant” is first attested 1793. Related: Euphemistic; euphemistically.
euphemist in Culture euphemism [(yooh-fuh-miz-uhm)]
An agreeable word or expression substituted for one that is potentially offensive, often having to do with bodily functions, sex, or death; for example, rest room for toilet, lady of the evening for prostitute. The Nazis used euphemism in referring to their plan to murder the world’s Jews (see also Jews) as “the Final Solution.”