Euphemisms. Soft words

Euphemisms – is an amazing language phenomenon that allows us to bypass sharp corners in conversation, avoid rudeness or trouble and maintain politeness. But how did they appear? Let us immerse ourselves in the fascinating story of the origin of euphemisms, which is intertwined with the cultural and social changes of humanity.

Let's start with ancient times. Even in ancient Greece, people believed that words have magical power. They believed that by calling certain things by their names, it was possible to summon spirits or gods. This was particularly true of negative phenomena such as death or disease. Therefore, in order not to attract unwanted attention from supernatural forces, they used euphemisms. For example, instead of "death" they said "to leave" or "to calm down".

Interestingly, in some cultures there were strict taboos on certain words, and their use could cause serious consequences. For example, in ancient Egyptian there were words that were forbidden to be used because of their association with gods or bad omens.

Moving on to the Middle Ages, we see how European society began to use euphemisms influenced by religion and social norms. The Church had a great influence on people's lives, and many topics, including sexuality, death and disease, became taboo. Priests and preachers used softer expressions to talk about these topics with the congregation.

At that time, a chivalric society was also formed with its codes of honor and etiquette. Noble people preferred not to talk directly about unpleasant things. For example, instead of "die" they said "to go into eternity", and instead of "disease" – "illness".

One of the most interesting periods for the development of euphemisms – is the Victorian era in England (1837-1901). It was a time of strict moral standards and great hypocrisy. Discussion of topics such as sexuality, the body, and even some physiological processes was strictly prohibited.

In Victorian England, for example, even the word "legs" was considered too explicit, so the word "limbs" was used instead. Toilets were called "toilets" or "lighter rooms". There is even an anecdote that the Victorians used special covers for the legs of the furniture so that they did not remind of human limbs.

In today's world, euphemisms continue to develop. Now we live in an era of political correctness, where we try to avoid words and expressions that can offend or discriminate against someone. For example, instead of the word "disabled" they use "person with disabilities", and instead of "unemployed" – "temporarily unemployed" or "in search of new opportunities".

Let's look at some examples of euphemisms used in everyday language:

Example: "He passed away last week".

Example: "We will attend the last farewell to him tomorrow".

Example: "She is already an elderly woman, but very active".

Example: "Over the years, he has gained a lot of experience".

Example: "She is from a materially limited family, but very talented".

Example: "After the crisis, many entrepreneurs found themselves in a difficult situation".

Example: "He's a little full, but very confident".

Example: "During training, it emits a lot of moisture".

Example: "They share a deep closeness".

Example: "She works in the adult industry".

Example: "The company decided to stop working with several employees".

Example: "The cleanliness specialist did a great job in the office".

Example: "Someone appropriated his belongings while traveling".

Example: "He was deprived of his liberty for serious offenses".

Example: "Sorry, I need to visit the restroom".

Example: "After the trip, he felt sick and freed his stomach".

Euphemisms have a long and rich history that reflects changes in society, religion, culture and language. They help us communicate more tactfully and politely, avoid conflicts and maintain social norms. This is an amazing example of how language adapts to the needs of people and society.