Dysphemism
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- | {{Template}}The use of a word or phrase to replace another and that is considered more [[offensive]] or more [[vulgar]] than the word or phrase it replaces. | + | {{Template}} |
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+ | In [[language]], '''dysphemism''' (from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''dys'' δύς "mis-" and ''pheme'' φήμη "reputation"), '''malphemism''' (in [[Latin Language|Latin]] ''malus'' "bad"), and '''cacophemism''' (in [[Greek language|Greek]] ''kakos'' κακός "bad") refer to the usage of an intentionally harsh word or expression instead of a polite one; they are rough opposites of [[euphemism]]. | ||
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+ | Referring to the paper version of an online magazine as the "[[dead tree edition]]" or conventional [[mail|postal mail]] as "[[snail-mail]]" are examples of dysphemisms. | ||
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+ | ==Related terms== | ||
+ | While "dysphemism" or "malphemism" may be either offensive or merely [[humor]]ously deprecating, "cacophemism" is usually deliberately offensive. The term "orthophemism" has been offered to refer to a neutral name or expression. | ||
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+ | Some humorous expressions can be either euphemistic or dysphemic depending on context because terms which can be dysphemic can also be affectionate. For example, ''pushing up daisies'' can be taken as either softer or harsher than ''died''. Such variance can also be cultural; for instance, "[[twit]]" is a dysphemism for "idiot", but in [[British English]] is nearly always a humorous or affectionate term. | ||
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+ | ==See also== | ||
+ | * [[Satiric misspelling]] | ||
+ | * [[Euphemism]] | ||
+ | * [[Hyperbole]] | ||
+ | * [[Metaphor]] | ||
+ | * [[Pejorative]] | ||
+ | * [[Loaded language]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | {{Reflist}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Further reading== | ||
+ | * [[Keith Allan (linguist)|Allan, Keith]]., [[Kate Burridge|Burridge, Kate]]. ''Euphemism & Dysphemism: Language Used As Shield and Weapon'', [[Oxford University Press]], 1991. ISBN 0735102880. | ||
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+ | [[Category:Sociolinguistics]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Figures of speech]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Dysphemisms| ]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[ast:Disfemismu]] | ||
+ | [[ca:Disfemisme]] | ||
+ | [[de:Dysphemismus]] | ||
+ | [[es:Disfemismo]] | ||
+ | [[gl:Disfemismo]] | ||
+ | [[it:Disfemismo]] | ||
+ | [[ka:დისფემიზმი]] | ||
+ | [[hu:Kakofemizmus]] | ||
+ | [[nl:Dysfemisme]] | ||
+ | [[ja:偽悪語法]] | ||
+ | [[pt:Disfemismo]] | ||
+ | [[ru:Дисфемизм]] | ||
+ | [[simple:Dysphemism]] | ||
+ | [[sv:Dysfemism]] | ||
+ | [[uk:Дисфемізм]] | ||
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Revision as of 22:06, 7 May 2011
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In language, dysphemism (from the Greek dys δύς "mis-" and pheme φήμη "reputation"), malphemism (in Latin malus "bad"), and cacophemism (in Greek kakos κακός "bad") refer to the usage of an intentionally harsh word or expression instead of a polite one; they are rough opposites of euphemism.
Referring to the paper version of an online magazine as the "dead tree edition" or conventional postal mail as "snail-mail" are examples of dysphemisms.
Contents |
Related terms
While "dysphemism" or "malphemism" may be either offensive or merely humorously deprecating, "cacophemism" is usually deliberately offensive. The term "orthophemism" has been offered to refer to a neutral name or expression.
Some humorous expressions can be either euphemistic or dysphemic depending on context because terms which can be dysphemic can also be affectionate. For example, pushing up daisies can be taken as either softer or harsher than died. Such variance can also be cultural; for instance, "twit" is a dysphemism for "idiot", but in British English is nearly always a humorous or affectionate term.
See also
References
Further reading
- Allan, Keith., Burridge, Kate. Euphemism & Dysphemism: Language Used As Shield and Weapon, Oxford University Press, 1991. ISBN 0735102880.ast:Disfemismu
ca:Disfemisme
de:Dysphemismus
es:Disfemismo
gl:Disfemismo
it:Disfemismo
ka:დისფემიზმი
hu:Kakofemizmus
nl:Dysfemisme
ja:偽悪語法
pt:Disfemismo
ru:Дисфемизм
simple:Dysphemism
sv:Dysfemism
uk:Дисфемізм