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The word ''euphemism'' comes from the Greek word εὐφημία (''euphemia''), meaning "the use of words of good omen", which in turn is derived from the Greek root-words ''eû'' εὖ), "good, well" and ''phḗmē'' (φήμη) "prophetic speech; rumour, talk".<ref>[http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=fh/mh φήμη], Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', on Perseus</ref>
A '''euphemism''' is a generally innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant.<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/euphemism</ref> Some euphemisms are intended to amuse; while others use bland, inoffensive terms for things the user wishes to downplay. Euphemisms are used to refer to taboo topics (such as disability, sex, excretion, and [[death]]) in a polite way, or to mask profanity.<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=euphemism </ref>
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* {{URLwikipedia|Euphemism|Euphemism|2021-09-09}}
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