Dysphemism | Meaning & Examples

Dysphemism is a harsh, derogatory, or blunt word used instead of a neutral or more polite one. It is often employed to express strong negative emotions such as contempt or hatred, to shock the audience, or as a form of humor among peers. Dysphemisms generally add a negative, critical, or confrontational tone to communication, influencing how readers or listeners perceive the message.

Dysphemism examples
After working as a pencil pusher for twenty years, Bob finally quit his soul-crushing office job.

The old geezer next door keeps complaining about my music, even though I only play it during the day.

Instead of fixing up their dump on Oak Street, the owners just decided to sell it as-is.

Dysphemism meaning

A dysphemism is a form of figurative language where a speaker deliberately chooses words with negative connotations to replace neutral terms. The term itself is derived from Greek roots: “dys-,” meaning “bad,” and “-pheme,”  meaning “speech” or “reputation,” which together signify bad speech or negative expression.

Dysphemisms range from distasteful or rude expressions to overtly offensive ones. However, some dysphemisms can be humorous or lighthearted, depending on the speaker’s intent and the broader conversational setting. Common examples of dysphemisms include using animal names to describe people, such as “rat,” “pig,” “old bat,” or “coot.”

Dysphemism is the opposite of euphemism. Euphemisms aim to soften references to sensitive or unpleasant topics, making them more palatable. In contrast, dysphemisms deliberately emphasize the negative or undesirable aspects of what they describe, often to express disapproval, irreverence, or even contempt.

Euphemism vs dysphemism examples
Topic Euphemism (soft or neutral terms) Dysphemism (harsh or negative terms)
Death passed away, departed, gone to a better place croaked, pushing up daisies, bit the dust
Job termination downsized, released from duties, let go booted out, get canned, get the ax
Old age senior citizen, golden years, twilight years old geezer, fossil, over the hill

Why do we use dysphemisms?

People use dysphemism for a variety of reasons, such as:

  • To express anger or discontent. When we are frustrated or angry, we often resort to dysphemisms to vent our feelings and express our dissatisfaction. For example, calling someone “a pain” instead of just “annoying” amplifies the frustration.
  • To deliberately offend others. In interpersonal conflicts or competitive environments, people try to assert their dominance by belittling another person or group. For example, one scientist might dismiss another as a “crank,” suggesting their theories are baseless or overly eccentric.
  • To emphasize negative aspects. Dysphemisms draw attention to undesirable qualities, influencing how others perceive particular subjects. For example, calling cigarettes “cancer sticks” emphasizes their health risks and conveys a strong negative judgment about both the product and its use.
  • To convey familiarity. Among friends, dysphemisms may be used playfully or ironically, such as calling a messy roommate “a slob.” This type of usage is understood as teasing rather than serious criticism.
Note
Synecdoche can also serve a dysphemistic function by reducing individuals to a single, often derogatory characteristic. Referring to business professionals as “suits,” for example, not only denotes their formal attire but also carries a negative connotation that implies a lack of individuality or creativity.

Dysphemism examples

Dysphemisms often play on stereotypes or use humor, irony, or insults to convey a more negative or less serious connotation.

Examples of dysphemism
Word Dysphemism
accountant bean counter
CEO fat cat
doctor quack
diner greasy spoon
ignorant dim-witted
lawyer ambulance chaser
mechanic grease monkey
mental hospital looney bin
post snail mail
prison slammer
smart egghead
therapist shrink

Dysphemism examples in literature

In the following passage from James Joyce’s A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Cranly, the protagonist’s friend, uses dysphemisms to highlight the contrast he sees between his friend’s intellectual pursuits and the authenticity of a mother’s love.

Dysphemism example in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
“Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother’s love is not. Your mother brings you into the world, carries you first in her body. What do we know about what she feels? But whatever she feels, it, at least, must be real. It must be. What are our ideas or ambitions? Play. Ideas! Why, that bloody bleating goat Temple has ideas. MacCann has ideas too. Every jackass going the roads thinks he has ideas.”

Shakespeare frequently employs dysphemism in his plays to develop characters and convey strong emotions.

Dysphemism examples in Othello by Shakespeare

IAGO

Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. (Act 1, scene 1)

Here, Iago uses an overtly sexual metaphor (black ram, white ewe) that emphasizes Othello’s race. He also uses dysphemism (“tupping” is a vulgar term for sexual intercourse) to provoke Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, and incite his anger toward Othello. By doing so, he suggests that their union is morally reprehensible.
OTHELLO
Out, strumpet! weep’st thou for him to my face?DESDEMONA
Oh, banish me, my lord, but kill me not! (Act 5, scene 2)
When convinced that Ophelia has been cheating on him, Othello refers to his wife as “strumpet” (an old-fashioned word for female prostitute).

Frequently asked questions about dysphemism

What are some common examples of dysphemism?

Examples of dysphemism include calling someone a “slob” for being messy, “chicken” for being a coward, or “snitch” for speaking up. These expressions go beyond simple descriptions and can significantly influence how others perceive the individual or behavior in question.

What is the opposite of euphemism?

Dysphemism is the opposite of euphemism. While euphemisms use milder or less offensive words for topics that are sensitive or disagreeable, dysphemisms do the reverse: they refer to such topics in a harsh or offensive way, making them sound more negative or unpleasant.

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Kassiani Nikolopoulou, MSc

Kassiani has an academic background in Communication, Bioeconomy and Circular Economy. As a former journalist she enjoys turning complex information into easily accessible articles to help others.