IB12 George Orwell
One of Orwell's greatest frustrations,
as explored in Politics and the English
Language, is with euphemism.
He writes:
‘Thus political language
has to consist largely of euphemism, question-begging and sheer cloudy
vagueness. Defenceless villages are bombarded from the air, the inhabitants
driven out into the countryside, the cattle machine-gunned, the huts set on
fire with incendiary bullets: this is called pacification. Millions of peasants are
robbed of their farms and sent trudging along the roads with no more than they
can carry: this is called transfer of population or rectification of frontiers. People are imprisoned for
years without trial, or shot in the back of the neck or sent to die of scurvy
in Arctic lumber camps: this is called elimination of unreliable
elements. Such phraseology is needed if one wants to name things without calling
up mental pictures of them.’
We know that euphemism, like idiom, is
one of the hardest, most context-dependent aspects of the English
language. My favourite,
politically-driven euphemism of recent times is ‘friendly fire’, because its
juxtaposition completely underscores its absurdity.
So,
IB12, what euphemism do you like, and why?
Which are you guilty of overusing?
Answers
below by Thursday, March 21st.
My favourite euphemism is 'bun in the oven' because of the way the bun and oven is being compared to the baby and the womb. I really like this because in the oven, the bun is being baked into something that a majority of people love eating just as in a woman's womb, a baby is growing and will be the reason of happiness for many people.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite euphemism is 'vertically challenged' because it is a politer way of calling someone short even though changing the words doesn't make it any less offensive to the person, and it also has a comical effect to it.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite euphemism is "unmotivated" because it's a politer way of saying that someone is lazy. It's funny when someone calls you lazy but you can correct them saying you're "unmotivated" instead of lazy.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite euphemism is " Happy hour": a term used to avoid the embarrassment or awkwardness of telling people you went out drinking. I find it to be ironic and amusing because you might be describing a moment in which you became extremely intoxicated as something pleasant.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite euphemism is 'Letting you go' which is a polite, less harsh way of firing someone. I like it because it sounds as if the person being fired almost wants to be, and their boss is doing them a favour by 'letting' them go.
ReplyDeleteMy most favorite euphemism is 'It's snowing down south'. This is because it's an indirect way of saying that your slip is showing or that your flyer is open. And because it's really funny to tell someone that.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemisms "take a breather", "under the weather" and "bite the dust". I couldn't choose my favourite out of these three but I'm most likely to use "take a breather" as it's a nicer way to say that you need a break. "under the weather" is pretty self-explanatory as it means that someone is not feeling very well. The euphemism "bite the dust" is a nutty way of saying that someone has died but I like it because it reminds me of the song by Queen which is named after the euphemism itself.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism 'correctional facilities' as this basically refers to a prison/jail. I like it because its a place where criminals get locked up and the facilities there might not necessarily 'correct' anything.
ReplyDeleteNot too sure if this counts or not, but because I'm quite lazy, I'll tend to say something is 'BS' instead of 'Bullshit'. I'm very certain though that I don't say it because it's politer. It's just laziness.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism "Adult Entertainment", don't think I have to explain what it could possibly mean, though it can be interpreted in different ways, you feel me? ;) (not literally lol jk)
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism "is pushing up the daisies" because it is a more subtle and delicate way to describe death and has the imagery of being in a better place.
ReplyDeleteI find the euphemism "put to sleep" which is a softer way of saying euthanize very interesting. The reason for this is when a parent puts his/her child to sleep he/she expects the child to wake up the next morning. Whereas, when someone goes through euthanasia they aren't expected to wake up the next morning. Also, when someone goes through euthanasia they are relieved from pain so they are in peace. This is the same with sleeping because when someone goes to sleep they are also in peace.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism "pre-owned" instead of "used" because it makes the item/object sound like it has been taken care of as opposed to just being used and neglected.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism "gone walkabouts" instead of "missing", because I'm guilty of using it very often. It also makes it sound like I'm organised and haven't misplaced it, but that has actually decided to move itself instead when that isn't the case at all.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism 'expecting' because its mostly used for pregnancies but by expecting, you could use it for anything, e.g. the paper, a delivery.
ReplyDeleteMahdi:I like the euphemism 'pre owned ' because it gives the sense as if it has been it was owened before , it is more better sounding den used
ReplyDeleteNaim: My favourite euphemism is 'friendly fire' because the government try to make it sound like it's not a bad thing. But it isn't and is used as propaganda.
My favourite euphemism is "going all the way " or "going to third base" it's a much nicer of way of saying its literal meaning for example by using bases you bring in sports which is popular among most people
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism of 'passed away' instead of dead because its a much more softer word and it also shows respect in a way to the person who has 'passed away'. This is because saying someone is dead seems more harsh then saying someone has passed away.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism of "big boned" insted of "fat" because it gives people away to describe someone one, without being offencive.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism "kick the bucket" instead of died because its slightly ironic how an insignificant action like kick the bucket compares to being deceased. This made even more funny when I initially thought the euphemism was something positive.
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism 'au natural' because it's more polite, and it makes the person feel more comfortable being naked in stead of 'oh look at me im naked ;)'
ReplyDeleteI like the euphemism "off their trolley" because I think it's a funnier way to describe someone who's mental
ReplyDeletei like the euphemism "conjugal visit" because its just a modest way of saying sexual intercourse
ReplyDelete