1. Preface “Euphemisms & Dysphemisms” Writing for New Technologies Purpose To convey not only the power but the absurdity sometimes in regards to the extent of euphemisms and dysphemisms in our society and language today. Many examples are provided, though not really any straight graphics. Audience This presentation is timed to advance automatically. Typically, it will be shown on its own without necessarily a speaker (though one could talk before and/or after if they wished.) I see it being used in English classrooms of about junior high level and above. Notes: I want to know if the information presented is clear enough. Also, is there enough time to comfortably read it? I have tried to pad it with as much time as I can to read slides while keeping with the music.

2. The Power of Language Euphemisms ( and other –mismses ) Dysphemisms&

3. brought to you by Timothy Alder

4. BASICALLY a euphemism makes something sound better and a dysphemism makes something sound worse ( “stingy” ) ( “thrifty” ) YOO-fuh-mizum DIS-fuh-mizum

5. For example: “sanitary landfill” & “garbage dump” “pre-owned vehicle” & “used car”  Ridiculous Meter: 

6. The Euphemism Treadmill what once was “nice” becomes “rude” (euphemisms become dysphemisms) lame  crippled  handicappeddisabled lame  crippled  handicapped  disabled BUT!

7. The Dysphemism Treadmill what once was “rude” becomes “okay” (dysphemisms become euphemisms) “that sucks” offensive    objectionable questionable accepted pre-1970s    1980s 1990s 2000s Ridiculous Meter: 

8. dysphemisms are actually quite common in everyday speech Common Dysphemisms no sports team actually “slaughters the other team” no company actually “crushes their competition”

9. Wentbetter Euphemisms vs. Dysphemisms Balance Dysphemisms Euphemisms Dearlydeparted Gonerest dust Worm Croaked ( perhaps they are too common… ) Passedaway tohis placetoa food Bitthe underSixfoot Takingnapadirt Boughtfarmthe Kickedbucketthe Pushingdaisiesup

10. The Military and Eu (-phemisms) DECRYPTING neutralizing a targetKilling an enemy collateral damage friendly fire accidental killing shooting a teammate DECRYPTED Ridiculous Meter: 

11. euphemisms & dysphemisms are all around us on signs on TV in everyday speech in books on things at the store

12. but their true power is that we often don’t notice them euphemism ? dysphemism ? ? euphemism ? ? ? dysphemism ?

13. you must always ask yourself what are they really saying? what does that really mean? why are they really hiding it? truth find

14. fin © 2006 Sean Hanley