Ordinary social discourse provides many opportunities for euphemism. A woman may not be described as "fat"; instead, she is "curvy" or "voluptuous. " We don’t ask to use the toilet but instead to use "the restroom. " We teach children euphemistic terms for their private parts — indeed, "private parts" is itself a euphemism.
How Do You Identify Euphemism in Writing?
In literary texts, writers use euphemism to add metaphoric value to what they are describing.
Finding euphemisms in older works of literature can be challenging because standards of socially accepted discourse change over the years.
Examples:
1. Differently - abled instead of handicapped or disabled
2. Departed, kicked the bucket and passed away instead of died
3. He is a little tipsy (drunk).
4. Senior citizen for an old person
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