Abstract and Key Words

Abstract: Euphemism, which is the outcome of the language taboo, is a common linguistic phenomenon. It develops with the development of society and plays an important role in language communication. It has attracted attention of linguists for a long time. This study makes an introduction about devices of euphemism formation in English, analyzes the pragmatic function of euphemism. And it also tries to explore the application of English Euphemism in daily life. It is hoped that the present study may further our understanding on euphemism and may do some help for language teaching, translation and cross-culture communication.

Key words: euphemism; euphemism on daily life; application

摘要：委婉语是一种普遍的语言现象，是语言禁忌的产物。它在语言交流和构建人际关系桥梁中起着至关重要的作用，委婉语的研究也是语言研究的重要组成部分。本文介绍了委婉语的表达手段，分析了委婉语的语用功能，即避讳功能、求雅功能、掩饰功能，并探讨了委婉语在日常生活中的运用，旨在从委婉语的语用功能和表达方式方面分析委婉语在日常生活中的运用，加深对委婉语的了解，为英语教学、翻译及跨文化交际提供帮助。

关键词：委婉语；生活领域；运用

1. Introduction
The word “euphemism” originates from the Greek language. It consists of the prefix “eu” and the root “pheme”. The western scholar George Blunt firstly used “euphemism” as a single word. In the 1580s, he defined euphemism as “a good or favorable interpretation of a bad word”. Other Linguists defined “euphemism” as “Substituting an inoffensive one, thereby veneering the truth using in words”, “A mild or vague periphrastic expression as substitute for blunt precision of disagreeable truth”. H.W.Fowler said, “Euphemism is a mild or vague or periphrastic expression as a substitute for blunt precision or disagreeable truth”.
Euphemism is a common phenomenon in language use. People use it when they talk about unpleasant or embarrassed affairs. It is not only a kind of rhetoric, but also a cultural phenomenon. In our daily life, we use English euphemism widely; otherwise we can hardly communicate with others politely.