picture vocabulary for euphemismWhen it comes to insulting/offending someone for their behaviour, it becomes important that a word like stupid is substituted with a harmless word, so that it does not hurt anyone’s feelings. So we might refer to the person as a little slow in his understanding. This softening of the blow, more or less which equates to placing a pillow on someone’s head while hitting him with a hammer, is called euphemism.

Origin:
Its first usage dates back to 1681. It has its roots in Greek word euphemismos, which has originated from the word euphemos, which means auspicious.

Pronunciation: yoo-fuh-miz-uhm

Meanings of Euphemism

1) An offensive word substituted with an inoffensive word
2) The expression so substituted

Master’s tip to learn euphemism:

Euphemism can be learnt with the help of similar word euphuism, as euphemism can easily be confused with it. Euphemism is a substitute, but euphuism is a style of writing that was very popular in England in the end 16th century. So, euphuism can mean any similar style of writing and also speaking.

Sentence examples for Euphemism:

1) Implore is a euphemism for pleading. (Noun)
2) Euphemistic usage of words is interminable. (Adjective)
3) He undermines the authority of his boss euphemistically. (Adverb)
4) He euphemised the word fat with chubby. (Verb)
5) Felon is a euphemiser for murdered. (Noun)

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