Euphemism

Euphemism

Definition

A polite, indirect expression which replaces words and phrases considered harsh and impolite or which suggest something unpleasant.

Example- from Jane Eyre

“She kissed me, and I her, and we both soon slumbered.” (59)

Function

In the example from Jane Eyre, euphemism is used rarely and subtly. The line above is referring to when Helen was on her deathbed and Jane was lying with her. They were saying goodnight to each other, which also was their goodbye. In Jane’s narration above, the word “slumbered” referred to Helen passing away, it is a euphemism for her death. Charlotte Bronte used a euphemism here to indirectly talk about Helen’s death and add a more artistic element to the text.

Another example

“You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire.” Harper Lee wrote that Atticus Finch used the euphemism “Negro” to refer to a race of people and although that is historically accurate, a modern-day Atticus Finch would use the more currently accepted euphemism of “African-American” to refer to this race of people. 

Non-original mnemonic

Can be found here

Original mnemonic

Eu (you) phemism (feminism)

Are you a feminist?

Instead, you could ask: Are you in favor of women’s rights? It sounds less harsh on that topic in today’s society.