Euphemism

Euphemism, the process whereby the taboo is stripped of its most explicit or obscene overtones, provides a way to speak about the unspeakable, that is, about those subjects that are too delicate to express in straightforward terms. Euphemism goes far beyond lexical substitution or the use of polite‐sounding language, as it helps to understand how taboo topics are conceived in cultural groups and what beliefs are accepted or rejected. Euphemism is purpose‐oriented: it can be regarded as a discursive strategy at people's disposal for a variety of communicative purposes, not only avoiding offence, but also misrepresenting and upgrading, among others. Euphemistic use is sensitive to context and time: it changes along with people's perception of taboo. Euphemism is achieved by different formal and semantic devices such as shortening, abbreviation, omission, understatement, hyperbole, and especially figurative language, which constitutes a rich source for euphemistic naming

Euphemism · Hyperbole · Linguistics · Literal and figurative language · Metaphor · Politeness · Sociology · Taboo · Computer Science · Hate Speech and Cyberbullying Detection · History · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Philosophy · Psychology · Swearing, Euphemism, Multilingualism · Artificial Intelligence

• Forbidden Words

  Open Access•Kenneth Allan, Keith Allan et al.•Forbidden Words•2006

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• Towards a new approach to the linguistic definition of euphemism

  Open Access•Miguel Casas Gómez•Language Sciences•2009

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