Dramatic Adventures in Rhetoric by Giles Taylor

Author:Giles Taylor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: OBERON BOOKS Ltd

2) To substitute several words where one would do, to avoid saying that word.

For instance, Mrs Manningham tries here not to say the word ‘murderer’:

MRS MANNINGHAM: How can you imagine my husband is – what you imagine he may be?

Patrick Hamilton, Gaslight (1938)

SCHEMATISMUS (skee-mat-iz-mus) from the Greek meaning ‘configuration’ or ‘form’. To hide meaning though evasive speech, motivated by anxiety, good manners or a sense of humour; a more deliberate PERIPHRASIS.

In this example, Marge is trying to get Evelyn to admit to having an affair with Paul:

MARGE: It’s been brought to my notice that you and Paul – have – well…

EVELYN: What?

MARGE: I think you know what I’m talking about.

EVELYN: No.

MARGE: That you and her husband have been – is this true? Yes or no?

EVELYN: Is what true?

Alan Ayckbourn, Absent Friends (1974)

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