PHI 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Jochen Liedtke, Dysphemism, Real Change
22 Feb 2018
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Euphemism: a neutral or positive expression used in place of one that carries negative associations. Example: detainee makes the word prisoner sound better than what it is. Example: eating animal flesh sounds worse than eating meat. Weaselers: they are often inserted into claims in order to try and protect the claim from criticism by watering it down somewhat. Helps, supports, is useful (friendly, but no real value added) Better, improved, gains (does not say how much) Acts, works, effective, efficient (action, but no quantitative value) Seems, appears, looks, is like (gives impression, not real change) Many, most, virtually, almost all ("lots" but no real quantity) Up to, from, at least, as many as (talk about the best case) Downplayers: downplayers attempt to make someone or something look less important or less significant. Example: don"t mind what mr. liedtke says,he"s just another educator. Both examples are trying to discredit the people.
