This week’s column deals with a three-part query sent in by a reader: Sir, the title of your column last week was Eve-teasing is a euphemism used only in India (Dec 8). Is it correct to use the article ‘a’ before ‘euphemism’? Why? Please explain the term ‘euphemism’ with some modern examples? Is there any word which is the opposite of ‘euphemism’? — John Peter, Devakottai.
Let me answer the first part of the query. Yes, it is correct to use the article ‘a’ before ‘euphemism’. Since the first syllable of the word ‘eu’ (pronounced ‘yu’) is not a vowel sound, we use the article ‘a’. In the English language there are many words which begin with a vowel but the first syllable of the words has a consonant sound. The examples of such words are: euthanasia, European and university.
The choice of ‘a’ or ‘an’ depends on the initial sound of a word and not on the initial letter. If a word begins with a vowel but has a consonant sound, the article ‘a’ is used before the word and if a word begins with a consonant but with a vowel sound, the article ‘an’ precedes the word. Some examples:
1. He is an honest man. (The first letter ‘h’ is silent in the word ‘honest’ and so the first syllable is a vowel sound.)
2. As it is an historic monument, it was saved from demolition. (The initial letter ‘h’ in ‘historic’ is silent, so the first syllable is a vowel sound)
3. It is a university. (The first letter ‘u’ is pronounced ‘yu’ and so the first syllable has a consonant sound.)
4. Do you have a one-rupee coin? (Though the first letter of the word ‘one’ is a vowel, the mono-syllabic word has the consonant sound ‘w’.)
The second part of the query seeks explanation on ‘euphemism’. It is a mild word or expression which is substituted for a word or an expression that is considered unpleasant or blunt. To euphemise means to use auspicious words. Here are examples:
1. The situation has forced the college authorities to downsize (cut) the faculty strength from 240 to 180.
2. Where is the restroom (toilet)?
3. She doesn’t want to accept the fact that she has the big C (cancer).
4. The doctor convicted in the money cheating case has been sent to a correctional facility (prison).
5. My brother bought a pre-owned (used) car.
6. Pregnancy termination (abortion) is illegal in many catholic countries.
7. People who are terminally ill should be put to sleep (euthanised).
The opposite of ‘euphemism’ is ‘dysphemism’. It can be defined as an unpleasant or derogatory word or expression which is used instead of a pleasant one. This is used as a device for degrading something or humiliating someone. Here are some examples of: bookworm (a person who studies always), bullshit (lies), snail mail (postal mail), bitch (a lewd woman), negro (African-American), pig (fat person) and boneyard (cemetery). No gentleman or lady except a parliamentarian uses dysphemism.