dysphemism

American  

[dis-fuh-miz-uhm] / ˈdɪs fəˌmɪz əm /

noun

1. the substitution of a harsh, disparaging, or unpleasant expression for a more neutral one.

2. an expression so substituted, as “cancer stick” for “cigarette.”

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dysphemism British  

/ ˈdɪsfɪˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. substitution of a derogatory or offensive word or phrase for an innocuous one

2. the word or phrase so substituted

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Other Word Forms

• dysphemistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of dysphemism

First recorded in 1880–85; dys- + (eu)phemism

Example Sentences

When I was in school, “queer” was one of those fraught dysphemisms.

From New York Times

We also invited the opposite — dysphemisms, terms that cast concepts in a worse light:

From Washington Post

Conversely, you can also suggest dysphemisms: terms that put the term in a worse light, such as “unwanted dreck” rather than “special value.”

From Washington Post

It can result, he said, in a collision of euphemisms and their linguistic opposites, dysphemisms.

From New York Times