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WotD: Euphemism
Quite often, English language learners have difficulty understanding the meaning of what a native speaker says.
Sometimes this is because the native speaker is using a euphemism.
A euphemism is a gentle word used instead of a harsher word that someone may find offensive or unpleasant to hear.
Let’s look at the word toilet, for example.
Some people feel uncomfortable asking, ‘Excuse me, where is the toilet?’ and to some people, this is impolite as well.
Therefore people will ask, ‘Excuse me, where is the ladies’ room?’
They use ‘the ladies’ room’ as a euphemism for ‘toilet’.
