Dysphemism The opposite of a euphemism

A dysphemism is a word or phrase people use

to make something or someone sound negative, bad and unlikeable.

Definition

“Oh, that this too, too sullied flesh would

melt…” In this excerpt, Hamlet feels upset about his

mother’s second marriage and uses harsh tones to explain that his flesh has melted away – instead of just saying that he is angry

“What else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother’s love is not…” In this excerpt, Stephen Daedalus uses harsh

and disparaging language to describe the world—instead of just saying world

Examples

“O perjured woman, thou dost stone my

heart…” Here, Othello uses the term “perjured woman”

to describe someone as sinful instead of just saying they are sinful

Looney bin instead of saying mental hospital Nutcase instead of mental illness Snail mail for postal mail Cancer stick for cigarette Pig for police man

Examples