One of John Donne’s best-known poems, ‘The Flea’ is a great example of how euphemisms are used to refer to something obliquely. Slang : Much of slang, derived to produce a vocabulary exclusive to a social group, is euphemism, as in the use of joint for marijuana (itself a slang term, derived from the Spanish names Mary and Juana — closely related to “Mary Jane,” yet another euphemism). If you read a news story about “collateral damage” from drone strikes, you need to know that the article is about civilian deaths. instead of old people we say senior citizens). This one is one of the most common euphemisms, so much so that you probably didn’t even realize it was a euphemism. 2. Here are three examples: Semantic alteration–using an entirely different phrase in place of the original. Over the hill. (I will go beyond euphemism and let readers think of examples on their own.) While some euphemisms are less forgiving than others, they always know how to make light of even the most uncomfortable of situations. in his face, one where flesh. I have to lay you off. Using euphemism we can avoid making blunt or politically incorrect statements. Euphemisms are used in literature just as they are used in everyday speech: to soften otherwise difficult or harsh situations with nicer phrases. Between jobs. Despite Ghedini's protestations of his client's innocence, the phrase has become a euphemism for men who use prostitutes. Powder room (bathroom) Postconsumer secondary material (garbage) Do it (have sex) Phonetic alternation–mispronouncing words or using abbreviations. This one is used to avoid mentioning death, and with euphemisms being used to avoid discussing unpleasant topics, it is unsurprising that so many common ones relate to death. Euphemism Definition. Examples of Euphemisms in Literature Example #1 The Flea by John Donne. Examples of Euphemism in Literature. Euphemisms can take many different forms. A euphemism is a substitution for an expression that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the receiver, using instead an agreeable or less offensive expression, or to make it less troublesome for the speaker. IV. When I said. This figure of speech can be best defined as coded words or phrases, which we use to express ourselves when caught in an awkward situation, without sounding uncivil or being downright vague. In other words, you are past your prime. Euphemism Examples. Euphemism is a literary term that represents a word or a phrase that is said to avoid saying something that might sound offensive. Here are 20 euphemisms that you have probably heard before, and if you couldn't already figure them out, their meanings too. In the poem, Donne uses one of his metaphysical conceits to describe a speaker being bitten by a flea. 2. "Economical with … Euphemism Examples: To make an unpleasant word or expression sound politically and morally right and look less offensive, euphemism was invented. 7. You won’t understand much of what you read and hear if you don’t know euphemisms. A euphemism (YOO-fuh-miz-uhm) is a form of figurative language.These idiomatic, indirect expressions replace harsh, impolite, taboo, or unpleasant terms with more delicate phrases.They can be used humorously or to downplay or mask a situation, causing some to find the device deceitful or counterproductive. BS; 1. Explore some examples of euphemisms in everyday language and well-known examples from literature. It is a polite way of saying something that would normally sound harsh or unpleasant (i.e. Some examples of euphemism s: What it Says > What it Means Adult entertainment > Pornography Ample proportions > Obese or fat Armed intervention > War What Is a Euphemism? 6. Here is an example of euphemism in poetry: Example 1. 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