EUPHEMISMS AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS English people don’t like to talk directly about a number of subjects which are felt to be rather difficult in some way; they hesitate before mentioning directly such things as death, for example. They prefer to use expressions, which make the difficult topic sound slightly less so. Thus, you will often hear “I’m afraid her granny passed on last night” rather than “I’m afraid her granny died last night.” The use of a particular kind of euphemism is currently referred to as political correctness or being PC. These expressions, which relate to people and society, and political correctness is a concern not to use language that might be perceived as offensive by particular members of society. Thus, the term people with learning difficulties was felt to be better than mentally handicapped and the phrase senior citizens was preferred to old age pensioners. The quotation below illustrates the changing ways which poverty has been publically referred to. I used to think I was poor. Then they told me I wasn’t poor, I was needy. Then they told me it was self-defeating to think of myself as needy, I was deprived. Then they told me deprived was a bad image, I was underprivileged. Then they told me underprivileged was over used, I was disadvantaged. I still don’t have a dime. But I sure have a great vocabulary. (Jules Feifer)

Match the euphemisms English people have difficulty to talk about, on the left, with the sentences on the right: A B C D E F G

birth prison crime unemployment lying toilets alcohol

H

warfare

I J

strikes obesity

(EXERCISE A36E153)

Jill’s got a bit of a spare tire these days, hasn’t she? Their TV fell off the back of a truck. When is the happy event going to be? Would you like to wash your hands? He is a guest of Her majesty for six months. My cousin is an actor but he is resting at the moment. The politician seemed to be rather tired and emotional during the debate. Pat’s being rather economical with the truth, wouldn’t you agree? There were three hundred casualties in yesterday’s battle. The trade union is organizing a day of action tomorrow. gerardoneil.blogspot.com.br

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ANSWERS: EUPHEMISMS AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS English people don’t like to talk directly about a number of subjects which are felt to be rather difficult in some way; they hesitate before mentioning directly such things as death, for example. They prefer to use expressions, which make the difficult topic sound slightly less so. Thus, you will often hear “I’m afraid her granny passed on last night” rather than “I’m afraid her granny died last night.” The use of a particular kind of euphemism is currently referred to as political correctness or being PC. These expressions, which relate to people and society, and political correctness is a concern not to use language that might be perceived as offensive by particular members of society. Thus, the term people with learning difficulties was felt to be better than mentally handicapped and the phrase senior citizens was preferred to old age pensioners. The quotation below illustrates the changing ways which poverty has been publically referred to. I used to think I was poor. Then they told me I wasn’t poor, I was needy. Then they told me it was self-defeating to think of myself as needy, I was deprived. Then they told me deprived was a bad image, I was underprivileged. Then they told me underprivileged was over used, I was disadvantaged. I still don’t have a dime. But I sure have a great vocabulary. (Jules Feifer)

Match the euphemisms English people have difficulty to talk about, on the left, with the sentences on the right: A B C D E F G

birth (j) Jill’s got a bit of a spare tire these days, hasn’t she? prison (c) Their TV fell off the back of a truck. crime (a) When is the happy event going to be? unemployment (f) Would you like to wash your hands? lying (b) He is a guest of Her majesty for six months. toilets (d) My cousin is an actor but he is resting at the moment. alcohol (g) The politician seemed to be rather tired and emotional during the debate. H warfare (e) Pat’s being rather economical with the truth, wouldn’t you agree? I strikes (h) There were three hundred casualties in yesterday’s battle. J obesity (i) The trade union is organizing a day of action tomorrow. (EXERCISE A36E153)

gerardoneil.blogspot.com.br

Study English in New Zealand Information: [email protected]