Litotes – it’s not bad, is it. English speakers love litotes. We use this figure of speech all the time. Indeed litotes could be described not just as a defining feature of the language, but an example of a mode of behaviour that is common to virtually every person who resides upon these isles.
Litotes is the figure of speech we employ that involves stating a negative to affirm a positive. We say, “Pele wasn’t bad at playing football”, or “Van Gogh’s paintings sell for a few bob”, or “She’s not bad looking”. It often involves a double negative and is an intentional, indeed studied, habit. The use of litotes provides much of the character and humour we all love to inject into writing and conversation.
Whether you knew this was named litotes or not, you will use it several times a day yourself. “It’s a bit damp out” (when there’s a downpour); “That could have gone better” (when the shelves you were erecting collapse).
It is a form of understatement, and Britons love understatement. It is woven into the fabric of our society.
Litotes is quite like euphemism; another figure of speech we regularly employ. The often-used “recent unpleasantness”, as a euphemism for the American Civil War with its 1.6 million casualties, has a modern parallel in “The Troubles” when referring to the terrible killings in Northern Ireland in the years between the 1960s and 1990s.
Both litotes and euphemism are closely related to meiosis, the euphemistic figure of speech that intentionally minimises a matter or implies less significance. J. D. Salinger uses it well in The Catcher In The Rye, saying, “It isn’t very serious, I have this tiny little tumour in the brain”.
We use these figures of speech because they are part of our national character. Litotes, euphemism, and meiosis fit the British distaste for hubris.
We prefer our sporting heroes, when interviewed after glorious Olympic medal success, to say “I suppose I didn’t do too badly”. We’d form a different opinion if they said, “I’m absolutely brilliant and wonderful, aren’t I?”
Using “I didn’t do too bad” is an acknowledgement of outstanding performance every bit as strong as boasting, if you break the meaning down. It is still hubris, but hubris expressed in a socially acceptable way.
It’s just another example of the fact that the words you use, every single one of them, always matter.
Word of the week
Comity (noun)
Courtesy and considerate behaviour towards others. Social harmony. EG: “The use of litotes encourages comity in the UK.”
Read the latest Oh my word! every Saturday in The Courier. Contact me at sfinan@dctmedia.co.uk
