Euphemism – The Need and Importance of Euphemism in writing

More often than not, while writing, you may have thought of not using a particular word or phrase being considered as too direct, harsh, unpleasant or offensive. Instead, you would have had to use a different word or phrase to make it seem more acceptable in a general sense. If so, what you did was that you used Euphemistic language, which is used to replace harsh, unpleasant or inappropriate language. Hence there is a need and importance of Euphemism in your writing. Euphemisms are used in a variety of situations for numerous reasons, such as, not to hurt anybody’s feelings, not to convey unpleasant or inappropriate message, or to make a polite reference to physical or psychological disability of the people.

The word Euphemism is derived from the Greek word “euphemismos”. Euphemism is an indirect word or phrase that people often use to refer to something embarrassing or unpleasant. In this way, the use of euphemism is to make it seem more acceptable than it really is. It is also a word or phrase used in place of a term that might be considered too direct, harsh, unpleasant, or offensive.

On the basis of evergreen or topical writings, the sole purpose of our writing on the interment is to enlarge readership and to convey right message and useful information pertaining to various aspects of everyday life of individuals so that everyone may be benefited and delighted accordingly, we should be careful about our writing. We should use appropriate language. We should not convey such a message that is offensive or hurts somebody’s feelings. Whenever such situation arises that makes you think that the particular word is incorrect or inappropriate, you should replace it with more appropriate and acceptable or general word to convey the message properly.

The euphemism for, “to die” is: “pass away, go to one’s final rest and depart this life” or for “lie” the euphemism is disinformation etc. So, if we wish to sharpen our writing we should use inoffensive synonym always. Also, socially, you may need to use some euphemisms if you don’t want to offend someone. Thus, it would be rightly said that euphemism is of a great need and importance in our writing.

Written by:

K. A. Fareed (Fareed Siddiqui)

Writer, Trainer, Author, blogger, Software Developer

BBA, MBA-Finance, MPhil-Financial Management, (PhD-Management)

MA-English, MPhil-English

Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications and Programming

Level 1 – Leadership and Management ILM – UK

Pursuing CMA-USA

Individual Member of Institute of Management Consultants of India