Эвфемизм (Euphemism) – стилистический приём замены грубой, обидной или неприличной лексемы. Как вид перифраза эвфемизм иносказательно описывает ругательство. Он происходит от общественного запрета, невежества, природного страха, веры в заговор. Эвфемизм смягчает грубое выражение от страха, ужаса, предрассудка, условности.
the old gentleman – дьявол
unmentionables – исподнее
Религиозный эвфемизм:
the Lord – Господь
Этический эвфемизм:
to perspire – потеть
Политический эвфемизм (лицемерие):
a conflict – война
to stop payment – обанкротиться
Эвфемизм обычно стирается в пользу нового.
lavatory > water closet > loo – уборная
English Joke
This lady approaches a priest and tells him, “Father, I have a problem. I have these two talking female parrots, but they only know how to say one thing.”
“What do they say?” the priest asked.
“They only know how to say, ‘Hi, we are prostitutes. Do you want to have some fun?'”
“That’s terrible!” the priest exclaimed, “But I have a solution to your problem. Bring your two talking female parrots over to my house and I will put them with my two male talking parrots who I have taught to pray and read the Bible. My parrots will teach your parrots to stop saying that terrible phrase and your female parrots will learn to pray and worship.”
“Thank you,” said the lady.
The next day, the lady brings her female parrots to the priest’s house. The priest’s two male parrots are holding rosary beads and praying in their cage.
The lady puts her female talking parrots in with the male talking parrots and the female parrots say, “Hi, we are prostitutes! Do you want to have some fun?”
One male parrot looks over to the other male parrot and screams, “Frank! Put the Bibles away – our prayers have been answered!”