Dysphemism (Noun)
Meaning
An offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one; "his favorite dysphemism was to ask for axle grease when he wanted butter".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The politician's opponents used a dysphemism to refer to her economic plan, calling it a "scheme to rob the poor" instead of a "progressive tax reform".
- His favorite dysphemism was to ask for "gasoline" when he wanted to be poured a glass of wine.
- The comedian's use of dysphemism in his jokes often landed him in hot water with his critics.
- The euphemism "downsizing" was met with a dysphemism by the employees, who preferred to call it "mass firings".
- The journalist's use of dysphemism in her article, referring to the company's "toxic waste dump" instead of a "recycling facility", sparked a heated debate.