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A euphemism (/ ˈjuːfəmɪzəm / YOO-fə-miz-əm) is an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that is deemed offensive or suggests something unpleasant. [1] Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the user wishes to downplay.
Minced oath. A minced oath is a euphemistic expression formed by deliberately misspelling, mispronouncing, or replacing a part of a profane, blasphemous, or taboo word or phrase to reduce the original term's objectionable characteristics. An example is "gosh" for " God ", [ 1 ] or fudge for fuck. [ 2 ]
Circumlocution (also called circumduction, circumvolution, periphrasis, kenning,[1][dubious – discuss] or ambage[citation needed]) is the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea. It is sometimes necessary in communication (for example, to work around lexical gaps that might otherwise lead to untranslatability), but it ...
Euphemism – an innocuous, inoffensive or circumlocutory term or phrase for something unpleasant or obscene—e.g., in advertising for female hygiene products any liquid shown is never red, it's usually blue. Exemplum – the citation of an example, either truthful or fictitious. Exordium – the introductory portion of an oration.
Dysphemism. A dysphemism is an expression with connotations that are derogatory either about the subject matter or to the audience. Dysphemisms contrast with neutral or euphemistic expressions. [1] Dysphemism may be motivated by fear, distaste, hatred, contempt, or humour. [2][3][4]
Antiphrasis. Antiphrasis is the rhetorical device of saying the opposite of what is actually meant in such a way that it is obvious what the true intention is. [1] Some authors treat and use antiphrasis just as irony, euphemism or litotes. [2]
goomar or goomah: Americanized form of comare, a Mafia mistress. goombah: an associate, especially a senior member of a criminal gang. heavy: packed, carrying a weapon. hit: to murder; also see whack. initiation or induction: becoming a made man. juice: the interest paid to a loan shark for the loan; also see vig.
But the night before, I called the court house and learned I had been excused. This left me with several days of found time. The first thought I had was that I should "spend more time with my ...