myEtymology.com: English etymology of euphemism

Etymology of the English word euphemism

the English word euphemism

derived from the Greek word euphemismos, εὐφημισμός, εὐϕημισμός

using the Greek prefix eu-, εὐ-

derived from the Greek word eus

derived from the Greek word euphemizein, εὐϕημίζω

derived from the Greek word eu, εὖ ( well)

derived from the Greek word phemi, φημί (to say; to show or make known one's thoughts; speak or say)

derived from the Greek word pheme, φήμη (a saying; rumor ('fame'))

derived from the Greek word phanai

derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bhā-

The earliest known usage of euphemism in English dates from the 17th century.

Word found in Modern English