Euphemisms are words or phrases that substitute for others to soften their meaning or make them more palatable. They are used to reduce impact, observe grace, and sound better than more direct or harsh terms. Euphemisms often have the same meaning as the words they replace but are less direct. Examples provided show how euphemisms can replace terms referring to death, failure, imprisonment, disability, addiction, and bodily functions or actions to lessen their effect or spare people's feelings. The document examines why and how euphemisms are used as well as providing examples of identifying euphemisms in text.

1. Languagelab's Chapter 23.4
Euphemisms

2. What is a
euphemism?

3. A word or
phrase to
replace
another to
reduce its
impact.
Like reducing our
impact on the climate

4. Same meaning?
Put to sleepPut to sleep

5. Euphemisms sound better
Put to sleep
= kill the strays
Put to sleep
= naptime
'Put to sleep' sounds better than
'Kill the strays'

6. Same meaning?
UnderdogLoser

7. UnderdogLoser
Euphemisms sound better
Underdog sounds better

8. Euphemisms reduce impact
You did some time =
You went to prison
I have much to work on =
You failed your examinations
This is not fun at all =
This is so boring

9. Students with learning difficulties =
Students who learnt slowly
He has a weakness for the drink =
He is an alcoholic
The horizontally-challenged =
The unfit
Euphemisms give grace

10. You may go to the powder room =
You may go to toilet
You may empty your bladder =
You may go to the toilet
You may visit the bathroom =
You may go to the toilet
Euphemisms observe graces

11. Where are the Euphemisms?
He should not be eating this late into the
night as he has a heart problem.
Our family has to postpone our holiday.
Everybody is afraid for their rice bowls.

12. Here are the Euphemisms!
He should not be eating this late into the
night as he has a heart problem =
He should not have supper
Our family has to postpone our holiday =
Our family has to cancel our holiday
Everybody is afraid for their rice bowls =
Everybody is afraid for their jobs.

13. Learning Milestone
What are euphemisms?
Why do we need euphemisms?

14. Learning Milestone Check
A euphemism is a word or phrase that
substitutes for another to sound better.
A euphemism is used to observe or give
grace and to reduce the impact of a
word/phrase.