17,092
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Wikify.
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>
</blockquote>