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1、Euphemism: the substitution of a mild or indirect word or phrase for a blunter or harsher one. Euphemism may make an idea more palatable, but they also inflate language, reduce precision, and often tamper with the truth.). Euphemism is hypocritic and demoralizing but psychologically necessary. e.g.
2、collateral damage: civilian damage Category 1: glorifying euphemisms (1) the standard of seats on airplane De luxe / premium class ( first class) first class (second class) business class / tourist class （third class） (2) standard of room: De luxe; first class ; standard; private Category 2: fuzzy e
3、uphemisms specific- generalized Your fly is open The scope of using Euphemism (1)生老病死生老病死 Pregnancy She is expecting. Fat: plump stout chubby carolie count-down Thin: lean slim, slender willowy lithe svelte (2)贫穷贫穷 Poor: needy, underprivileged, the indigent Debt: cash advance Bankrupt: out of game D
4、ismissal ： lay off Slum：substandard housing （3）犯罪）犯罪 Burglary： surreptitious entry Wiretapping：intelligence gathering Violence: action Young criminals: juvenile delinquents Prison: correctional center Prostitute: call girl Prostitution: the oldest profession in the world (4) 性性 （put under taboo） Tod
5、ays parents, who must go beyond the birds and bees to AIDS, herpes and teenage pregnancy, might seat their child in front of a computer. A visit from the stork Facts of life Pornographic movies: adult film / X-rated films Free love: trial marriage Have sex with: go to bed with Illegitimate child: lo
6、ve child Homosexual partner: spouse equivalent Bisexual: AC/DC AC=alternating current DC: direct current (5)排泄排泄 Menstruation: Im having my period. / Im a woman for a week / Im having my friend with me. Urination / defecation ： I have to pay a call. I would like to be excused. I have to retire for a
7、 moment. Where is the restroom? May I wash my hands? Do you want to make yourself comfortable? Have you taken your precautions before the days outing? (6) advertising euphemisms Used car ： predriven classic Second-hand furniture: antiques Costume jewelry ： fashion jewelry （7） 职业职业 Maid, housekeeper:
8、 domestic help ，day-help, Barber, hairdresser: beautician Maid (at hotels or hospitals ): room-care specialist Undertaker ： grief therapist Garbage collector ： solid-waste ecologist （8） 战争战争 U.S overseas military deployment American presence Aimed offensive ：surgical strike Invasion ： pre-emptive ac
9、tion Air strike ： air option Ground war: ground operation Attack ： pacify the area Nuclear bomb ： nuclear device Bombing and blasting：softening up the resistance Suicidal attack: one-way mission Defence crushed ：defence neutralized （9）学校老师对学生品行，成绩的评价）学校老师对学生品行，成绩的评价 （a）学生很笨）学生很笨 Direct: The student
10、is obtuse. Indirect: He is a bit slow for his age. （b）学生多门主科不及格）学生多门主科不及格 Direct: He has failed (flunked) many major courses. Indirect: He has got less than a passing grade for a few major courses. Im sorry to find him an underachiever for some major courses. (c) 学生懒惰学生懒惰 Direct: The student is lazy
11、 Indirect: Im afraid he has to exert himself in his study. Probably he had to devote himself more diligently to his studies. He is sure to go far if he can use his resources fully. Hell get somewhere if he is highly motivated. He needs to raise his ambition level a bit. Hed better take his lessons m
12、ore seriously. (d) 学生吵闹学生吵闹 Direct: The student is noisy Indirect: He needs to develop quieter habits of communication. (e)学生持强欺弱，横行霸道学生持强欺弱，横行霸道 Direct: The student is a bully. He is quarrelsome and often browbeats, frightens or hurts smaller or weaker pupils. Indirect: He needs help in learning to
13、 use his leadership qualities democratically. （f） 学生说谎学生说谎 Direct: He lies. Indirect: He is likely to embroider the truth a bit. He may occasionally fall into terminological inexactitude. He has difficulty distinguishing between imaginary and factual information. (g) 学生作弊学生作弊 Direct: The student che
14、ats. Indirect: He need to learn to how help in learning to adhere to rules an standards of fair play. （h）学生要改邪归正）学生要改邪归正 Direct: The student must mend his ways. Indirect: He needs to be brought back into the mainstream.Call a Spade a Spade (直言化）直言化）Return to nature Return to plain speaking adultery: conjugal infidelity whore: lady of easy virtue pass urine: answer natures call The Pentagon is looking for a cheap, quick kill. She is canceled all her social engagements. (1856) She is in an interesting condition. (1880) She is in a de
