English Euphemisms for Health and Disease

Abstract

Euphemisms for disease created by means of abbreviation and rhyming slang reflect new capabilities of euphemisms. This research is relevant since such euphemisms are widely used and require a more detailed examination. The article aimed to identify some synonymous euphemistic and dysphemistic names from the arsenal of communicatively correct expressions on the topic of health and illness in English, as well as to provide a sociocultural commentary on euphemisms in the form of rhyming slang and abbreviations characterizing two deadly diseases – cancer and AIDS – and such an unpleasant ailment as haemorrhoids. The key research method used here is descriptive, implemented in the techniques of systematization, generalization and interpretation of language material. The linguistic methods include contextual analysis and semantic interpretation. The topic of health and disease is represented by examples of euphemisms and dysphemisms selected from authoritative dictionaries of euphemisms and general and rhyming slang, as well as English-language fiction. Euphemisms and dysphemisms serve as an effective way to overcome taboos; they are used to smooth out unpleasant moments and “cover up” sensitive issues for the interlocutor, provided that the exact meaning of the statement can be guessed. In particular, the author selected euphemisms for cancer, AIDS and haemorrhoids in the form of rhyming slang and abbreviation since they had been overlooked by specialists in English euphemisms, which brings an element of novelty to the study of modern English euphemisms. Euphemisms associated with rhyming slang in Englishspeaking countries constitute a promising area of research. The main points and conclusions of this paper can be used when discussing euphemisms during lectures and seminars on the theory of language, lexicology, stylistics, text interpretation, and cross-cultural communication.