Abstract: Euphemism is a common language phenomenon in human society, and a “lubricant” in people’s language communication. Euphemism plays an important role in our daily life. It is used in communication to protect faces of hearer or speaker. The essay analyzes the application of euphemism in a popular American series Desperate Housewives. The series mainly describes the daily life of four housewives whose conversations are full of humor and euphemisms. As a case of study, it needs the conversations from the ordinary people suitable and vivid. For this reason, the author chooses the dialogues in this series as the materials of the research. This paper studies euphemism from its usage and communicative functions and analyzes its effect of the expressions. Concluded from the analysis, it can be proved that the correct application of euphemisms can help to improve people’s communicative ability.

Key words: euphemism; communication function; Desperate Housewives

摘要：委婉语是人类社会中普遍存在的一种语言现象，是人们语言交际的“润滑剂”。委婉语在社会交际中发挥着极其重要的作用。通过使用委婉语，人们可以避免言语过于直露而伤害对方。本文选用了近几年热播美剧《绝望主妇》中的对话进行个案研究。该剧讲述了四位家庭主妇家庭内部和邻里之间的故事。她们的对话幽默、生动而且委婉。本文重点从委婉语的使用和交际功能两方面研究，并逐句分析委婉语的表达效果。从而得出结论:在日益发展的文明社会，恰当的运用委婉语，可以有效的促进人与人之间的相互交流。

关键词：委婉语; 交际功能; 《绝望主妇》