Euphemism, dysphemism, and cross-varietal synonymy

This paper explores the linguistic and social functions of euphemisms, drawing on Frazer’s observations of speech avoidance in ritual contexts and extending them to contemporary usage. Euphemisms are defined as alternatives to dispreferred expressions, often used to avoid offense, maintain face, or signal in-group identity. The study examines motivations behind euphemistic and dysphemistic expressions, including fear, distaste, humor, and social alignment. It introduces the concept of “X-phemisms” as stylistically and contextually driven variants within a lexical set. Through examples from Indo-European languages and social discourse, the paper argues that euphemisms and dysphemisms reflect deeper cognitive and cultural mechanisms. It challenges simplistic views of taboo and highlights the complex interplay between language, politeness, identity, and communicative intent