EUPHEMISM AS POLITENESS STRATEGY IN LANGUAGE CHANGE

Abstract

This paper aims to appraise euphemism as an effective politeness strategy in communication. This is done, by extension, to justify the reason a lexical item is considered unacceptable in certain contexts. The data collected from news items on radio and television, daily newspapers and conversations over the last decade in Nigeria demonstrate that certain words are deliberately chosen to nullify those words that are considered uncomplimentary. Really, the use of euphemism oftentimes is a way to alter our perception of certain inconvenient truth and a tendency to avoid speaking directly about notions that are sensitive. However, it is not my intention to argue whether euphemism is good or bad, a sweet talk or deception, but to examine how relationships are sustained, free of mutual suspicion, via the employment of euphemism as a tool to make the other interlocutor feel important under the current situation. Although the shared knowledge of individuals involved in conversation may be unpleasant, a person that takes the turn in conversation has the capacity to save the situation by saving the face of them both through the employment of lexical items which do not only suppress unpleasantness but that are appropriate for the purpose.

Full text

Page 1 of 16
EUPHEMISM AS POLITENESS STRATEGY IN LANGUAGE CHANGE
ADEPOJU Babatunji Hezekiah
Department of English, University of Lagos
badepoju@unilag.edu.ng; adepojutunji2050@gmail.com
Abstract
This paper aims to appraise euphemism as an effective politeness strategy in communication.
This is done, by extension, to justify the reason a lexical item is considered unacceptable in
certain contexts. The data collected from news items on radio and television, daily newspapers
and conversations over the last decade in Nigeria demonstrate that certain words are
deliberately chosen to nullify those words that are considered uncomplimentary. Really, the use
of euphemism oftentimes is a way to alter our perception of certain inconvenient truth and a
tendency to avoid speaking directly about notions that are sensitive. However, it is not my
intention to argue whether euphemism is good or bad, a sweet talk or deception, but to examine
how relationships are sustained, free of mutual suspicion, via the employment of euphemism as a
tool to make the other interlocutor feel important under the current situation. Although the
shared knowledge of individuals involved in conversation may be unpleasant, a person that takes
the turn in conversation has the capacity to save the situation by saving the face of them both
through the employment of lexical items which do not only suppress unpleasantness but that are
appropriate for the purpose.
Keywords: Euphemism, Context (Situation & Culture), Politeness Strategy, Language change

Page 2 of 16
Introduction
African societies are rich in culture. In the African communities especially among the Yorubas
of the South West Nigeria, are agbale oja (market sweepers). Their pitiable and pathetic
conditions are referred to in the following lines:
B’ewure jeun, ko k’ewe
B’aguntan jeun, ko k’ewe
Iya nii j’agbale oja
B’ewure jeun ko k’ewe
If a goat eats, it does not pack the leaves
If a sheep eats, it does not pack the leaves
It is suffering for the market sweepers
If a goat eats, it does not pack the leaves
Both high and low are aware of the situation above but would not refer to this in the open
especially where those that are concerned are present. About ten years ago, Lagos, the erstwhile
Federal Capital of Nigeria, the commercial nerve- centre of the country, UN acclaimed fastest
growing mega city in the world, employed street sweepers. They are to man the major streets of
the city to keep them clean. They had utility vehicles, uniform and hand tools. All these were
branded HIGHWAY MANAGERS. Are they not street sweepers? Names and appellations are
changing. The erstwhile derogatory descriptions of people and places are becoming ameliorative.
Everyone is now important. Hence, the title of this paper: Euphemism as Politeness Strategy in
Language Change.

Page 3 of 16
People have the tendency to veil concepts that are pejorative in order to be polite to their reader
or listener. They do this by using euphemisms in their utterances to cover up or soften the
unpleasant connotations and denotations of some words or expressions (Pour, 2010).
Speakers of different languages frequently employ euphemisms to soften the impact of concepts
which have the potential to offend and cause social disapproval (Hojati, 2012).
Politeness
Brown and Levinson (1987) explain that all interacting individuals have interest in maintaining
either ‘positive face’ or ‘negative face’. These refer to the positive and consistent image people
have of another and the basic claim to territories, personal preserves and rights respectively.
Euphemism, according to Al-hamad and Asma (2013), is one of the various strategies employed
to achieve politeness. This is because euphemism plays a great role in softening that which is
harsh between people.
Politeness refers to the manner in which we communicate our relationship in interaction. We
are polite towards another for reasons such as the need to be liked, the need to be accepted, the
need to avoid embarrassment and the need to uphold our line (Bahktiar, 2012). Politeness, then,
is a communication strategy that we use to protect, maintain and enhance ‘face’ to satisfy face
needs and to mitigate threats. It is how we signal our relationship with and feelings towards those
we communicate with in our chosen language. Politeness is described as a social norm, or a set
of prescriptive social ‘rules’. While politeness is used to maintain social harmony, impoliteness
is engaging in aggressive face work in particular contexts to cause social disruption.
Politeness strategy is being contextually appropriate, following social and cultural norms and
being socially positive by addressing face needs. This is why euphemisms are employed as
words or phrases that are alternative to a dispreferred expression. Bakhtiar (2012) observes that a

Page 4 of 16
social interaction is generally oriented towards maintaining face. Referring to an inappropriate
topic is impolite and is a threat to positive face.
Conceptual Framework: The Politeness Principle
The Politeness Principle is an offshoot of Indirect Speech Acts. Indirect Speech Acts are an
efficient tool of communication. They can convey two or more messages simultaneously. They
sometimes add humour and sometimes show politeness. One message of Indirect Speech Act is
I am being polite towards you.
Politeness takes many linguistic forms and is somewhat difficult to define.
Denham and Lobeck (2010: 337) explain that
Politeness expresses concern for others but also carries the intention of having
this concern reciprocated; we’re polite because we want to make others feel at
ease and this in turn makes us more comfortable too.
Leech (1983) proposed a set of maxims for politeness principle similar to that proposed by Grice
(1975) for the cooperative principle.
(a) The Tact Maxim
- minimise cost to the hearer
- maximise benefit to the hearer
On a cost – benefit scale, the speaker bears the cost, the hearer the benefit. To get the hearer to
do something which involves a cost, a polite speaker will use utterance in a form that softens the
effect of the impositives.
(b) The Generosity Maxim
While the tact maxim focuses on the hearer, the generosity maxim focuses on the speaker.
- Minimise benefit to self

Page 5 of 16
- Maximise cost of self
Convenience and benefit should be more of the hearer.
(c) The Praise Maxim
It is also called the approbation maxim. The maxim of praise and modesty is the expression of
positive or negative opinions about speaker – hearer. The effect is to tone down any criticism or
unfavourable comment.
- Minimise dispraise of the hearer
- Maximise praise of the hearer
(d) The Modesty Maxim
This is directed towards the speaker unlike praise maxim that is directed towards the hearer.
- Minimise praise of self
- Maximise dispraise of self
Praising oneself is inherently impolite. A negative politeness is used to tone down the self –
praise.
(e) The Agreement Maxim
Agreement is a relation between the opinions of the speaker and those of the hearer. The maxim
is simply
- Minimise disagreement with the hearer.
- Maximise agreement with the hearer.
(f) The Sympathy Maxim
Sympathy is a relation between speaker and hearer.
- Maximise sympathy towards the hearer.
- Minimise antipathy towards the hearer.

Page 6 of 16
Positive rather than negative expressions towards the hearer will go a long way to maintain
relationship or salvage situations.
(g) The Consideration Maxim
The maxim reinforces other maxims
- Minimise the hearer’s discomfort / displeasure
- Maximise the hearer’s comfort / pleasure
The speaker reduces the hearer’s painful experience, embarrassing or shocking events, facts or
things using various devices of references.
Euphemism
Euphemism is a universal linguistic phenomenon (Al-hamad & Asma, 2013). It is true also that,
universally, social groups do not use language uninhibitedly. Careful selections are made about
lexical items and expression so that listeners may not be offended thereby jeopardizing good
neighbourliness. Good interpersonal relationships and neghbourliness are of unequal importance
in the African society (Wardhaugh, 1986).
Rawson (1981) and Linfoot-Ham (2005) describe euphemisms as powerful linguistic tools that
are embedded so deeply in our language that few of us, even those who pride themselves on
being plainspoken, ever get through a day without using them. We could posit, therefore, that the
need for euphemism is both social and emotional as sensitive conversations are made without
enraging, outraging, or upsetting other people.
Leech (1974) likens euphemisms to “the linguistic equivalent of disinfectant”. Euphemism is a
linguistic mask. It refers to a word or phrase that stand for another word or phrase, chosen to veil
or reduce the harshness of the meaning of what is being expressed (Samoskaite, 2011).
Euphemism is a “word or phrase that replaces a taboo word or serves to avoid frightening or

Page 7 of 16
unpleasant subjects (Fromkin and Rodman, 1993). This position is corroborated in the Oxford
Companion to the English Language (OCE) (1992) that euphemism “is a word or phrase used as
polite replacement for another, which is consider too vulgar, too painful or offensive to religious
susceptibilities”. Cobb (1985), Nyakoe & Matu (2012) state that euphemistic expressions are
used in presenting a situation, a person or an object in a more agreeable, more reassuring or
‘politer’ light than it would be afforded by the hard glare or reality or by crude, direct definition.
It is a way of mentioning the unmentionables in a speech community.
Epoge (2013) however retorts that euphemism is sweet talk and deception. As sweet talk, Epoge
points out that euphemistic terms, by their nature, are palliative. They soften or disguise
unpleasant elements of reality and glorify the commonplace through verbal delicacy. They are,
consequently, painkillers because they soothe distasteful mention and hide unpleasant or
disturbing ideas. The use of euphemistic terms, a form of deception, is a deliberate dishonest
roundabout way of using words, phrases or expressions to make the bad seem good or, at least,
tolerable. In this paper, however, though Epoge may be hitting hard on some unavoidable truth,
my position is that euphemistic terms are employed by either interlocutor not to remind the other
or bring to the surface an unpleasant situation. The facts remains, too, that neither cannot do
anything to change the situation. Politeness requires, then, that both should not unearth an
excruciating knowledge by rocking the boat thereby making the present situation go awry.
Euphemism and language change
Every natural language is subject to change (Trask, 1999:95). Changes occur daily in English
usage not only in Nigeria but all over the world. These changes impact on all involvements of
human fields and endeavours. Language change is a phenomenon whereby aspects of language
use and other features of language vary over time.

Page 8 of 16
Tacitly, Culpeper (1998: 10) explains that the changes that have occurred in our physical
environment, our culture, and our social attitudes are often reflected in the language, particularly
in vocabulary and meaning. Antilla’s (1972:38) position is that change is always characteristic of
man’s life in organized communities. It follows then that social direction of changes may well
reflect the desired direction of change. He writes:
To understand linguistic change, we must see it as part of cultural change.
On the whole, euphemism brings about change in our language use as a result of people’s desires
to look on the brighter side rather than the gloomy side of life. This motivates them to disguise
unpleasant subjects by referring to them by the means of apparently inoffensive expressions.
Data Presentation and Analysis
Crime Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
Fraudster / Cheat
419ner, yahoo yahoo
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Thief
Bros
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives; verbal delicacy
Kill
Waste, terminate, take care of
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Unlawful detention
Protective custody
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Coup d'état
Military intervention
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Armed robbers
Men of the underworld
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Bribe
Kola, roja (police), find
something, do him good
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Steal
Help himself to, appropriate
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Terrorists
Insurgents, extremists, militants,
freedom fighters
Verbal upgrading /delicacy
through modelling
Genocide
Ethnic cleansing
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Job Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised /
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim

Page 9 of 16
Tabooed
Tailor
Fashion, designer
Generosity; benefit is more to
the hearer
Hair dresser
Stylist, beautifician
Mr/Mrs
Ø /Ø /Ø
Architect Sambo, Engineer Kareem
Nurse Bolanle, Lastma Stevens,
Surveyor Debo, Lawyer Asemota,
Pharmacist Teniola, Senator,
Commissioner, Accountant
(i)Generosity; benefit is more
to the hearer
(ii) Consideration; maximise
comfort/pleasure
Mail Runner
Despatch Rider
(i)Generosity; benefit is more
to the hearer
(ii) Consideration; maximise
comfort/pleasure
Ushers
Protocol Officers
Mechanic
Engineer
House girl
House maid
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosive
House boy
House help
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Servant
House help
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Janitor
Custodian
Generosity; benefit is more to
the hearer
Errand boy
Protocol officer
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Fired/retrenched/termi
nated/dismissed
Services no longer required/lay
off/down size
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Prostitutes, whore
Call girls, street workers, battlers,
people in oldest profession, business
girls
(i)Consideration; maximise
comfort/pleasure
(ii)Generosity; benefit is more
to the hearer
Male teacher (in
private schools)
Uncle
(i)Generosity; benefit is more
to the hearer
(ii)Consideration; maximise
comfort/pleasure
Female teacher (in
private schools)
Aunty
Labourers
Farm hands
Generosity; benefit is more to
the hearer
Pregnancy Related Euphemism
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe
Mechanism/Maxim
Pregnancy
Belly, belle (from pidgin)
Consideration; maximise
comfort/pleasure
Pregnant woman
To take in, expectant mother
Sex Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
Condom
Raincoat, socks, stockings
Consideration; maximise
comfort/pleasure

Page 10 of 16
Disvirgin (originally a
misconceived word)
Deflower (radical verbal
rehabilitation to original soft,
innocent word)
Praise; down-tone unfavourable
comment
Sex/have sex with
Sleep with, date, go out with, go
to bed with, make love to, meet
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Concubine
Mistress, man friend, woman
friend
Sympathy; maximize sympathy/
minimize apathy (gets coloured)
Religion Related Euphemism
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
I am sick/weak
I am strong
Agreement; minimize
disagreement/ maximize
agreement.
I don’t have money
I am rich
Pastor Adeboye/Oyedepo
Daddy Adeboye/Oyedepo; Daddy
G. O., Mummy G. O.
Generosity; benefit is more to
the hearer
Satan
god of this world
Praise; down-tone unfavourable
comment
Mr/Mrs/Miss
Brother, Sister, Layreader,
Evangelist
Generosity; benefit is more to
the hearer
Death Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised /
Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
Coffin
Casket
Tact; softens the effect of the
implosives
Praise; down-tone unfavourable
comment
Generosity/Consideration/Sympathy
Corpse
Stiff, remains
Mortuary
Morgue
Cemetery
Vault
Die/death
Gone south, give up the ghost, demise,
pass away, sleeps, departs the sinful world,
lost a rare gem, gone too soon, departed.
(i) Consideration; maximise
comfort/pleasure
(ii) Generosity; benefit is more
to the hearer
Dead body
Worm food, food for termites
Generosity; benefit is more to the
hearer
Euthanasia
Relieve him of his misery;
Put him to sleep
(i)Praise; down-tone unfavourable
comment
(ii) Tact; softens the effect of the
implosives
Undertakers
Morticians, funeral directors
Generosity; benefit is more to the
hearer
Disability Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
Impotent
Bros
Tact; softens the effect of the implosives

Page 11 of 16
Disabled person
Physically challenged;
persons with disabilities
(i)Tact; softens the effect of the
implosives (ii) Generosity; benefit is more
to the hearer (iii)Consideration; minimise
discomfort/displeasure
Blind
Visually impaired
(i)Tact; softens the effect of the
implosives (ii) Generosity; benefit is more
to the hearer (iii)Consideration; minimise
discomfort/displeasure
(iv)Praise; down-tone unfavourable
comment – glorification of the common
place
Dull/retarded children
Exceptional children
Underdeveloped nations
Developing nations, third
world countries
Crippled
Handicapped, physically
challenged
Mad/mentally deranged
Mentally challenged
Body Parts Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
Penis
Private part, MC, Pa Jimoh,
John Thomas(J.T.)manhood
(i)Tact; softens the effect of the
implosives
Virgina
Private, part, Jerusalem,
Mouse trap
(i)Tact; softens the effect of the
implosives
Menstruation
Monthly discharge, period,
women thing/time/moon
(i)Tact; softens the effect of the
implosives
Social/Psychological Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
Office attendant
Office assistants
Sympathy; maximize sympathy/
minimize apathy
Tribe
Ethnic group, ethnic
affiliation, ethnic, nation-
ality, linguistic group
Tact; soften the effect of the implosives
Sympathy; maximize sympathy/
minimize apathy
Cleaners/street sweepers
Highway managers
Sympathy; maximize sympathy/
minimize apathy (ii) Generosity;
Convenience is more of the hearer
Shit
Human waste, Discharge,
deposit, visit the
ladies/gents
Tact; soften the effect of the implosives
Maintenance of the appearance of civility
Toilet/ lavatory/ latrine
Ladies/gents, bathroom,
convenience, rest room,
White house, aso villa,
loo, powder room,
(i)Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
(ii) Consideration; minimise
discomfort/displeasure
Old people
Elderly people/senior
citizens
Generosity; Convenience is more of the
hearer
Kinsmen
Relatives
Tact; soften the effect of the implosives

Page 12 of 16
The poor
Less privileged, under
privileged
Praise; down tone unfavourable comment
Tact/Generosity/Consideration/Sympathy
Prisoners
Inmates
Praise; down tone unfavourable comment
Tact/Generosity/Consideration/Sympathy
Unemployed graduate
Applicant
Tact/Generosity/Consideration/Sympathy
Unmarried
Single, searching
Praise; down tone unfavourable comment
Bastard
Love child, a child born
out of wedlock
Praise; down-tone unfavourable
comment
Tact/Generosity/Consideration/Sympathy
Pidgin Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
A gift
Dash
Verbal upgrading
Food
Chop
Rehabilitation to shield
Expensive
Dear
Praise; down tone unfavourable
comment
Village /rural area
Bush (dysphemism)
Face- attack
Gender Related Euphemisms
Stigmatised / Tabooed
Preferred / Euphemism
Face-safe Mechanism/Maxim
Mankind
People, human beings,
humanity
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Manhandle
Rough handle
Generosity; convenience is
more of the hearer
Chairman/woman
Chairperson
Consideration; maximise
comfort/pleasure
Headmaster/mistress
Head teacher
(i)Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives;(ii)Generosity;
convenience is more of the
hearer
Policeman
Police officer
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives
Fireman
Fire-fighter
Tact; soften the effect of the
implosives; (ii) Generosity;
convenience is more of the hearer
Euphemism and Context

Page 13 of 16
Every language event takes place at a particular place with some people in attendance. The
environment of language use, then, is where every utterance is interpretable, given the
background of it. As everything about human changes, so does the language.
The context, that is the setting, contributes to the speeches and how such speeches are made.
Halliday (1998) points out that concrete material i.e. chairs and tables available at a particular
speech situation may not form part of the situation. However, an abstract entity, which is not
directly located at the venue may be directly relevant to the event and therefore form part of
context of situation. Finegan (2004) explains that conversationists cannot interpret utterance
from expression alone. Finegan points out that:
Besides meaning and expression, then, the base of language used is context,
and language can be best viewed in three - sided figure comprising
expression, meaning and context. (p8)
While Context of Situation deals with the choice among cultural possibilities in an on-going
communication process, the Context of Culture has to do with what obtains in the society at
large. This is the total set of linguistic options available in a particular society.
Culture refers to all that a person needs to know in order to effectively function in a particular
society. Issues such as myth, taboo and legend are of great importance here. Every society has its
culture to operate. Gomaa and Shi (2012) report Hughes (2006), who investigates euphemism in
relation to taboo language, and emphasise that euphemisms are responses to taboos. Perhaps this
is an offshoot of Gu (2006) who argues that euphemism can be thoroughly examined in its
sociocultural context. Qi (2010) concludes that euphemism is particularly a culture phenomenon,
an outcome of various socio - psychological factors.
Conclusion

Page 14 of 16
To be polite and protect the face of both or all sides in communication, people favour a variety of
language which is pleasant and less offensive. To show politeness, people tend to use
euphemisms, as a figure of speech, in their interactions. Euphemism is used as politeness
strategy, image management, and good relationship sustenance. In doing this, language change
and euphemism are evident when there are new developments. Completely new words may be
rare. Mostly, whenever the new entry becomes dominant in use and old words and expressions
are avoided, the language assumes a new level of development. This is beside variations noticed
spatially or temporally. It all bore down to one point: meaning is not always very stable and that
there is a lot of scope for creativity. The new usages become absorbed into the language as
commonplace.
References
Al-Hamad, Mohammed Quasem and Asma Mohammed Salman (2013) The Translatability of
Euphemism in the Holy Quran In European Scientific Journal Vol. 9, No 2 e-ISSN 1857-7431 pp
190-214
Bakhtiah, Mohsen (2012) Communicative Functions of Euphemisms in Persian In: The Journal
of International Social Research ISSN 1307-9581 Vol.5 Issue 20 pp 7-12
Barber, C. (1972) The Story of Language. London, Pan Books.
Brown, P. And Levinson, S.C. (1987) Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Cobb, R. (1985) Euphemism and Argot in France In Enright, D. J. (ed.) fair of Speech: The Uses
of Euphemism. Oxford, OUP pp 72-78s
Cruse, D. Allan (2000) Meaning in Language: An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics,
Oxford, Oxford University Press
Denham, Kristing & Anne Lobeck (2010) Linguistics for Everyone: An Introduction. USA,
Wadsworth, Centage Learning.

Page 15 of 16
Eliecer, Crespo Fernández (2005) Euphemistic Strategies in Politeness and Face Concerns In:
Pragmalingüistica, Vol. 13 pp 77-86
Epoge, Napoleon (2013) Euphemism in Cameroon English: Sweet Talking or Deception? In:
International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research Vol. 2 No 1 ISSN 1839-9053 pp
1-10
Finegan, Edward (2004) Language. Its Structure and Use (4th ed). Australia, Thomson
Wadsworth
Fromkin, V. and Rodman, R. (1993) An Introduction to Language. Harcourt Brace College
Publishers
Gomaa A.Yasser and Yeli Shi (2012) Softboiled Speech: A Constrastive Analysis of Death
Euphemisms in Egyptians Arabic and Chinese in Global Journals of Human Social Science
Volume 12 Issue 8 Version 1.0 ISSN 22449 - 460X USA, pp 1-16
Gu, T. Q. (2006) A linguistic Approach to Euphemism In Journal of china West Normal
University 01 pp 48-50
Guo, Qi (2010) Cultural Differences in Chinese and English Euphemism In: Cross-Cultural
Communication Vol.6 No. 4 ISSN 1923-6700 pp 135-141
Halliday.M.A.K. (1998) Language as Social Semiotic. London: Edward Arnold
Hojati, Alireza (2012) A Study of Euphemisms in the Context of English- Speaking Media in
International Journal of Linguistics Vol. 4, No 4 pp 552-562
Hughes, G. (2006) An Encyclopaedia of Swearing: the social history of oaths, profanity, foul
language, and ethnic slurs in the English-speaking world. Armonk, N. Y. , M. E. Sharpe
Leech, G. (1974) Semantics. Middlesex: Penguin Books Ltd.
Leech, G. (1983) Principles of Pragmatics. London: Longman Group limited
Linfoot-Ham, Kerry (2005) The Linguistics of Euphemism: A Diachronic Study of Euphemism
Formation In Journal of Language and Linguistics Vol. 4 No 2 ISSN 1475-8989 pp 227-263
Nyakoe, Damanis G.; Peter M. Matu and David O. Ongarora (2012) Conceptualisation of “Death
is a Journey “ and “Death as Rest” in EkeGusii Euphemism In Theory and Practice in Language
Studies, Finland. Academy Publishers Vol. 2, No 7 ISSN 1799-2591 pp 1452-1457
Oxford English Dictionary (1992) (2nd ed.) Oxford, OUP

Page 16 of 16
Rawson, H. (1981) A Dictionary of Euphemisms and other Doubletalk: Being a Compilation of
Linguistic Fig Leaves and Verbal Flourishes for Artful Users of the English Language. New
York: Crown Publishers, Inc.
Samoškaite, Laura (2011) 21st Century Political Euphemism in English Newspaper: Semantic
and Structural Study. An Unpublished M.A. paper in English Philosophy, Vilnius Pedagogical
University
Trask, R.L. (1999) Language: The Basics (2nd ed.), London and New York, Routledge
Wardhaugh, R. (1986) An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. The UK: Blackwell
Williams, J.M. (1975) Origins of the English Language: A Social and Linguistic History. New
York: Free Press.
How to cite this work (APA): Adepoju, B.H. (2016). ‘Euphemism as Politeness Strategy in
Language Change’ in Papers in English and Linguistics (PEL) Vol. 17 (3&4) OAU Press 54-70