A euphemism is a presentation of something less important than it actually is. Jonathan Swift uses euphemisms to illustrate statements as being less important than they actually are, in order to draw attention to them. For example: “And besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous people would be inclined to censure such a practice, (though indeed very unfairly) as being somewhat bordering on cruelty…” (Jonathan Swift, paragraph 17, lines 128-129). Jonathan Swift writes that some moral people might find this practice of eating children a bit cruel. This is a huge understatement on human life, as Swift describes the eating of children as simple cruelty. The use of euphemisms helps show how absurd Swift's proposal is and calls for the creation of a rational plan. Therefore, Jonathan Swift uses understatement to draw attention to statements by making them seem less important.