Euphemism

Definition

Some sensitive ideas and concepts are too rude for us to express bluntly in more formal situations and we need to be careful with our choice of language. For example, we regularly use a wonderful and imaginative variety of metaphors to refer to love and death because it can be difficult and embarrassing to talk about “kicking the bucket” and “going all the way”.

Euphemisms are also a good way of avoiding censorship or your school’s internet safety filters.

Euphemism Example: Love

In “Much Ado About Nothing”, Benedick declares his eternal love for Beatrice in (V.ii):

“I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap, and be
buried in thy eyes.”

At first glance, Benedick’s dialogue seems wonderfully romantic. However, when Shakespeare was writing the play, to “die” was a euphemism for having an orgasm.

In (III.ii), Claudio says that Beatrice would “die” for Benedick and Don Pedro sarcastically adds “she shall be buried with her face upwards”.

Even the play’s title contains a joke – “nothing” is a euphemism for women’s genitalia.

Euphemisms and Death

In Hamlet’s famous “to be or not to be” soliloquy, he describes dying as “shuffle off as mortal coil”.

Love and Death

In the opening scene, Iago wants to provoke Brabantio into action by claiming his daughter is having a physical relationship with Othello. The character uses very colourful euphemisms for sex to grab his attention:

“‘Zounds, sir, you’re robb’d; for shame, put on your gown;
Your heart is burst, you have lost half your soul;
Even now, now, very now, an old black ram
Is topping your white ewe. Arise, arise;
Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,
Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you:
Arise, I say.”

In this first example, Iago compares Othello and Desdemona’s relationship to a “black ram” having sex with a “white ewe”.

“‘Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God, if the devil bid you. Because we come to do you service and you think we are ruffians, you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you’ll have your nephews neigh to you; you’ll have coursers for cousins and gennets for germans.”

In the opening scene, Iago wants to provoke Brabantio into action by claiming his daughter is having a physical relationship with Othello. Instead of being blunt, Iago uses several vague euphemisms for sex to grab his attention:

“I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter
and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs.”