Euphemisms are expressions that downplay the seriousness of a situation, often used to defuse tension or for comedic effect. Understatement can also be used for humor, while euphemisms are used to maintain politeness. Pilots may use understatement to keep others calm during a crisis.
A euphemism is an expression indicating something significantly less serious or powerful than it should reasonably be represented. For example, if someone’s business goes bankrupt, forcing an owner to file for bankruptcy, it would be reasonable for that person to say something like, “This is a disaster”; a euphemism could be: “We are experiencing some small difficulties”. This type of expression is commonly used for comedy, where it is considered a form of irony, although it should not be confused with the use of euphemisms.
There are several reasons why someone uses a euphemism, although it is often used to defuse a potentially tense or stressful situation. Pilots controlling aircraft that have experienced serious technical malfunctions, for example, have often been heard making comments to other crew members and passengers that grossly underestimate the possible catastrophic outcome of the situation. In this scenario, the pilot is able to remain calm and can try to keep others from panicking, allowing events to unfold in a more limited manner. This type of understatement has a very real function, as the mood of the person in control can influence the reactions of others to a stressful event.
Understatement can also be used for comic effect, usually as a form of irony. In general, irony refers to an event that occurs which is the opposite or very different from what is expected. An understatement is a comment that grossly understates the seriousness or traumatic nature of an event, and therefore is different from the expected response. In a movie or TV show, the heroes may find themselves surrounded by enemies in a seemingly hopeless situation, at which point one might comment, “Well, we’re in a bit of trouble.” This is meant as a comedic line, as it downplays the situation they are in.
While somewhat similar in structure, an understatement is not to be confused with an understatement. Euphemisms are typically used to compensate for a comment that might be considered rude or overly familiar, by allowing someone to broach an uncomfortable topic in a way that maintains politeness or formality. A euphemism can certainly be used to not sound argumentative, but it does so by downplaying the nature of a situation. Euphemisms typically use a particular phrase or unrelated concept to convey a potentially sensitive meaning; an expression such as “deceased” is often used instead of “dying” when talking to someone about a recently deceased relative.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
