antonyms - What is the opposite of "euphemism"


The comments in an older question of mine on E.S.E leave an issue unresolved: What does one call the situation in which a taboo concept is referred to as being a specific case of a more general nonvulgar concept?


The specific example that I would like to address is the Hebrew verb לדעת. This verb has several meanings. One meaning is to have knowledge of. Another meaning is to have sexual relations with. One could argue that the latter is a what for the former?



Answer



As FumbleFingers points out, one 'opposite' of euphemism is



dysphemism



which means a word sounding much worse or more vulgar than the more canonical word for the concept.


But 'opposite' can really go in many directions. Another counterpart to 'euphemism', the one that you seek, is



vulgarity, taboo word, or profanity.



These are words for the concept of 'the word that is being given a euphemism'.


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