Explain with example euphemism and hyperbole
Answers
Euphemism is a different way of saying something, particularly about unpleasant situations. It is used for a number of reasons:
1. To make things sound more polite: Like calling someone ‘healthy’ instead of fat or overweight.
2. To purposely be impolite, sarcastic or make a joke about something: Like saying that someone ‘kicked the bucket’, instead of saying that he died.
3. To reduce the effect of something: Like saying ‘physically challenged’ instead of handicapped.
Hyperbole is a literary device that is used for exaggeration. As expected, it is not supposed to be taken literally. For instance,” I was so hungry that I could eat up an elephant.” This tells the reader that I was extremely hungry, but since it is not possible to eat up an entire elephant, it is a hyperbole!
Both these literary devices are used to make the text more interesting. Together, they can take the reader on a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs in the form of overstatements and understatements.
Euphemism-Euphemism is a term that is used for a word or phrase that is used to refer to something that is embarrassing or unpleasant. The main purpose behind use of euphemism is to make the expression seem more acceptable and polite. In other words we can say that euphemism is mild expression for harsh or offensive things. Some of the examples of euphemism are:
‘Pass away’ is euphemism for ‘die’
‘Men’s room’ is a euphemism for ‘men’s toilet’
‘The call of nature’ is euphemism for ‘the need to go to toilet’
Hyperbole is a way of writing that makes the thing written about more exciting, and exaggerated. Hyperbole is usually used in literature and fictional works. Following are some of examples of hyperbole:
She is as heavy as an elephant!
I waited for her for an eternity.
I think she will die of shame.