English Euphemisms

“He is a bicycle doctor. ” 此句中的doctor是委婉语(euphemism), 是某种职业的美称,故不作"医生"解,而是表示repair man的涵义, 因此应翻译为"他是个自行车修理工."

Euphemism is the substitution of a soft agreeable expression instead of one that is harsh or unpleasant. 在现代英语中, 其出现频率依然颇高,因为人们通过委婉语,可以用温顺悦耳的词语去谈论或叙述一些原来令人不快或逆耳之事物.为此,他们用domestic help, day help或live-in help代替mail或servant(佣人); 以custodian或superintendent替代doorkeeper, caretaker或janitor(看门人或管理人);用She has a tile loose或She has a cylinder missing去代替She is crazy或She is not right in the head(神经失常). 下面有一些例子：

radio doctor for radio electrician
cosmotologist for barber
household executive for housewife
sanitary engineer for garbage collector
sanitary landfill for garbage dump
senior citizens for old people
motion discomfort bag and air-sickness bag for vomit bag
pre-owned vehicles for used cars
the big C for cancer
mixologist for bartender
working class, of modest means for poor
differently abled, physically challenged for handicapped

More examples:

1. Nowadays many weight-watchers would like to go to the gym.
2. They are the culturally deprived.
3. Steve is between jobs at the moment.
4. She was in the family way. (Being pregnant)
5. The boss is known for being economical with the truth. (Lying)