Euphemism

Euphemism

An euphemism is a generally harmless word, name, or phrase that replaces an offensive or suggestive one. Some euphemisms intend to amuse, while others intend to give positive appearances to negative events or even mislead entirely. Euphemisms are used for dissimulation, to refer to taboo topics (such as disability, sex, or death) in a polite way, and to mask profanity. The opposite of euphemism roughly equates to dysphemism.

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Famous quotes containing the word euphemism:

    “Women’s fashion” is a euphemism for fashion created by men for women.
    Andrea Dworkin (b. 1946)