Skip to product information
1 of 1

Fair Of Speech: The Uses Of Euphemism

Fair Of Speech: The Uses Of Euphemism

3.5 (rated by 6 readers on Goodreads)
Regular price $10.48
Sold out
Buy the book from:
Can a bomb ever be "clean"? Are we relieved to be warned that there will be an "odor" when once we were told that something would "stink"? Or, to put it another way, when is a euphemism a mark of good taste and when is it a sign of verbal obfuscation? To answer such questions, D.J. Enright invited sixteen distinguished writers to ponder and explore the ubiquitous phenomenon of euphemism. The result is a delightful and provocative collection that not only includes general reflections on euphemism and its history but also treats such specific categories as sex, death, and other natural functions; politics; the language of the great Christian texts; euphemisms spoken to and by children; the law; medicine; office life; and the jargon of official spokesmen, military communiques, and tyrants. Such writers as Diane Johnson, Robert Nisbet, John Gross, Robert Burchfield, and Joseph Epstein bring a variety of perspectives and sensibilities to bear on these topics. Because euphemisms are so intimate and integral to our thinking, any study of them is bound to throw light on the human condition, both past and present. In these essays, humor jostles horror and the homely alternates with the farfetched. Taken together they form an eloquent and often amusing testament to the richness of the subject.

Details of Book

ISBN13: 9780192122360
ISBN10: 0192122363
Language: English
Publication Year: 1985
Format: Hardcover

Related Collections:

A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

View full details
  • One Line Summary

    Explores euphemisms' role in language and culture.

  • Who is this book for?

    If you're curious about how words soften or hide reality, this collection is a fascinating dive into euphemisms' clever and sometimes uncomfortable uses. It offers sharp insights from various writers on how euphemisms shape our perceptions of crucial topics like death, politics, and everyday life. Reading this could change the way you see the language around you every day.

Your cart
Bookshop Total Quantity Price Total
Thryft - Used (Like New)Thryft is a trusted platform for quality secondhand books at great prices.
Thryft - Used (Like New)Thryft is a trusted platform for quality secondhand books at great prices.
$10.48/ea
$0.00
Sold out
$10.48/ea $0.00

View cart
0

Total items

$0.00

Subtotal

View cart