英语委婉语及语用功能(初稿).docxVIP

. .. 1．Introduction The word “euphemism” original comes from the ancient Greek. The prefix “eu” means well, and the root “pheme” means speech or saying. Thus euphemism literally means to speak in a pleasant way or with good words. The Oxford Dictionary define “euphemism” as an indirect way for people often to use to refer to something embarrassing or unpleasant, sometimes to make it seem more acceptable than it really is. Similarly, euphemism also belongs to a kind of figures of speech, in which indirectness replaces directness of statement, usually in an effort to avoid offensive bluntness i