Which line in this excerpt from “The Gun” by Philip K. is an example of euphemism?
"It was atomic fission we saw, all right," he said presently. He sighed and pushed the eyepiece away. "Any of you who wants to look may do so.[ But it's not a pretty sight."]
Explanation:
Euphemism is an indirect expression or word used in substitution for something very harsh and unpleasant. It is used in the place of the offensive or embarrassing moment to make it less unpleasant. In the above excerpt, the euphemism is used to denote the sight of the atomic fission.
"It was an atomic fission we saw, all right," he said presently. He sighed and pushed the eyepiece away. "Any of you who wants to look may do so. [But it's not a pretty sight."
The euphemism is in the phrase "not a pretty sight". This is an understatement, as in the beginning, it was describing an atomic fission. To say that it is "not a pretty sight" is downplaying and sugarcoating the statement.
