In Other Words (Putting it Nicely)

Cartoonists in particular use a series of symbols (*#*^ %*) to indicate “bad” language, leaving it to the reader’s imagination to fill in the blankety-blank. Good manners - and censors - cause the cartoonists and other writers to use euphemisms, i.e., polite expressions in place of vulgar or crude ones. Instead of using words that might upset others, they use polite words that mean the same thing but do not offend anyone. Euphemisms are useful (necessary at times) to keep your reader from saying “eww” or “yuck” in disgust or to prevent your reader from blushing in embarrassment.   At times in your college writing, you may need to discuss a subject that requires tact, and you will probably rely on euphemisms to do so.

If, for instance, you were to write a literary analysis of Carrie, A Girl of the Streets, you would probably use expressions such as lady of the evening or even prostitute instead of more commonly used words, not included here. You are saying the same thing about the character but avoiding rude language.  Another time you may choose to use euphemisms is if you are writing an argumentative paper and talking about those whose opinion differs from yours. You may choose to say that they are mistaken, misguided, or unaware instead of calling them stupid ignoramuses (or worse), even if that’s what you think they are. You have remained polite and gently said that those who disagree with you are incorrect (as in dead wrong) but you have not resorted to name-calling.

Finally, euphemisms can also be used to make statements that shelter the reader from reality. One time we tend to substitute milder words is when we talk about death. We may say a person has crossed over, passed away, or expired because saying the person is dead seems overly harsh. We speak of earthly remains rather than corpses. Less serious than death (and all the ways to say dead without saying dead) in normal, everyday conversations, we use euphemisms to put a bit of spin on the facts, choosing alternate words to lighten a truth on occasion. I may not want to be blunt enough to call someone a liar when he describes his fifty-foot tall roaring  fat wave,  but I might say euphemistically that the dude stretches the truth a bit (by like  thirty or forty feet maybe).

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! ‘Til then, hang ten!