The Ugly Euphemisms

In this paper، by analyzing some data from Persian and English، it is shown thatpragmatically there are two main kinds of euphemisms. The first (common euphemisms) are used to be polite and not to hurt other''s feelings on several subjects like sexual relations، death، birth، body parts، disability، mental illness، intelligence and insults. On the other hand، language users by substituting the first kind of euphemisms for unpleasant words، try to preserve their own and addressee''s social face. But the second، i. e.، ugly euphemisms، are used to hide political and economic scandals، disguise the truth، and guide public thoughts when speaking about social issues and events. It is at this point، when speakers and writers seek not so much to avoid offense as to deceive that we pass into the universe of dishonest euphemisms.