The Economist, December 17TH-30TH 2011
20111230 The Economist
Page 102,
Euphemisms, Making murder respectable
...Euphemism is so ingrained in British speech that foreigners, even those who speak fluent English, may miss the signals contained in such bland remarks as "incidentally"(which means, "I am now telling you the purpose of this discussion"); and "with the greatest respect"("You are mistaken and silly"). This sort of code allows the speaker to express anger, contempt or outright disagreement without making the emotional investment needed to do so directly. Some find that cowardly.
Boardroom, bathroom, bedroom
A thematic taxonomy of euphemism should have a category devoted to commerce. Business euphemisms are epitomised by the lexicon of property salesmen. A "bijou" residence is tiny(it may also be "charming", "cosy" or "compact"). A "vibrant" neighbourhood is deafeningly noisy; if it is "up and coming" it is terrifyingly crime-ridden, whereas a "stone's thrown from" means in reach of a powerful catapult. Conversely, "convenient for" means "unpleasantly close to". "Characterful" means the previous owner was mad or squalid. "Scope for renovation" means decrepit; "would suit an enthusiast" means a ruin fit only for a madman.
But the richest categories would centre on cross-cultural taboos...
DB, SSN057-86-4042,
December 30, 2011, Friday,
National Central Library,
Taipei City
