Abstract:
 Euphemism, as a common linguistic phenomenon in the world culture, is widely used in various social classes and fields. English euphemism is one of many euphemisms existing in the world. Language reflects life, and is always closely related to the society. In communication, due to some certain restriction of behavior and morality, people tend to use euphemism as a kind of lubrication, making harsh, indelicate words sound tactful and pleasant. English euphemism plays a very important role in people’s social communication. This paper mainly discusses the social communicative functions of English euphemism from three aspects: its evasive function, polite function, and cosmetic function. It also discusses the definition and origin of English euphemism briefly. A good understanding of English euphemism and the culture English language concerned can help avoid many conflicts in the process of social communication.

Key words: euphemism; communicative functions; evasive; cosmetic; polite

摘  要：
委婉语是世界文化中普遍存在的语言现象，它广泛应用于社会各个阶层和领域。英语委婉语是众多委婉语中的一种。语言反映生活，并且总是和社会紧密联系在一起。在人际交往中，由于一定的行为规范和道德准则的制约，人们通常使用委婉语这一“润滑剂”，使刺耳，不文雅的话变得委婉愉悦。委婉语在人们的社会交际过程中发挥着重要作用。本文主要从其避讳功能、礼貌功能以及美化功能三个方面讨论英语委婉语的社会交际功能。同时也简单讨论英语委婉语的定义及起源。通过充分理解英语委婉语，理解有关英语语言方面的文化有助于我们避免社会交际中的各种冲突。

关键词：委婉语；社交功能；避讳；美化；礼貌

1 Introduction
Euphemism is a cultural phenomenon as well as a linguistic concept. It is deeply rooted in people’s social life and has a great influence on their social communication. Every language has its own euphemism and English has its own euphemism as well. As an indispensable and natural part of English language, English euphemism has attracted people’s attention for a long time. George Blunt, a British researcher, defined euphemism as a “good favorable interpretation of a bad word”. Hugh Rawson compiled a dictionary about euphemism called “A Dictionary of Euphemisms and Other Doubletalk”. His studies mainly focus on the definition of euphemism, the features of euphemism and the classification of euphemism. Rawson stated that euphemisms are embedded so deeply in our language that few of us, even those who pride themselves in being plainspoken, ever get through a day without using them. He also suggested that euphemism can be divided into positive euphemism and negative euphemism. Positive euphemisms include occupational titles and personal honorifics, while negative euphemisms are closely related to taboo words. Just as Adler put it, “euphemism and taboo are two sides of the same coin.