– Roopa Banerjee

‘I am not entirely convinced that the gentleman in question is being fully honest.’

A simple sentence like this often leaves us wondering why the speaker didn’t just say, ‘He is lying.’ Instead, she took a longer, roundabout route to express something quite direct. This is circumlocution, in which ideas are expressed indirectly, wordily, or evasively rather than stated plainly.

Inevitably, the word circumlocution has Latin roots. It combines circum, meaning ‘around’, and loqui, meaning ‘to speak’. So, literally, it means to speak around something. Instead of getting straight to the point, this literary device circles it, sometimes for effect, sometimes for politeness, and sometimes to deliberately avoid clarity.

Circumlocution is not mere verbal padding. It’s used to create humour, tension, character depth, and even satire. In fact, once you start noticing it, you realise it is ubiquitous — in classic novels to everyday conversations, and films and television.

In literature, it’s used to define character traits. One of the most famous examples is from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in which characters often use elaborate language to disguise their real sentiments. Mr. Collins, for instance, is a master of long-winded speech. Instead of making a simple point, he wraps his ideas in layers of formal phrases. His circumlocution reveals social awkwardness and inflated sense of importance.

Another literary example is in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. The character of Wemmick often speaks in a deliberately roundabout way that separates his professional and personal life. Dickens uses indirect speech to highlight the double nature of Victorian society, where people often hid their true sentiments behind layers of formality. The result is a world where meaning is rarely direct and requires to be interpreted.

In Evelyn Waugh’s novel Scoop, many characters are afraid to contradict Lord Copper. Instead, when the answer to a question is ‘no’, they fall back on the circumlocution ‘Up to a point, Lord Copper.’

Pop culture is just as rich with examples of circumlocution. In Star Wars, characters often avoid straight talk, especially when dealing with the dark side of the Force. Instead of naming fear or danger plainly, they refer to ‘a disturbance in the Force’. This vague expression builds atmosphere and tension, allowing the audience to sense danger without fully defining it.

In Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Lord Voldemort is often referred to as ‘He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.’ This indirect way of speaking reflects the deep fear his name inspires in the wizarding world. The circumlocution shows how language itself becomes a shield against fear, turning a simple name into something powerful and ominous.

What makes circumlocution interesting is its flexibility. In formal settings, people often avoid blunt statements to prevent offence. For example, saying ‘He is no longer with the company’ instead of ‘He was fired’ is a classic example. Here, circumlocution softens the message. Writers often use this literary device to add depth to dialogue and to show what is unsaid.

However, it also carries a risk. Excessive circumlocution makes language confusing or empty. When people take too long to say something simple, the meaning gets lost. It can make the listener feel impatient and say, ‘Get to the point’. Skilled writers and speakers, therefore, use it carefully, balancing clarity with effect.

Circumlocution enriches writing by adding tone, atmosphere and subtlety, allowing writers to shape how something is felt rather than simply stated. However, if overused, it can cloud meaning and weaken impact, leaving the reader wading through unnecessary words.

Exercise

These five books use circumlocution generously for style and characterisation. Name the authors.

Books

1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Wuthering Heights
3. The Catcher in the Rye
4. The Trial
5. Mrs Dalloway

Answers

1. Jane Austen
2. Emily Bronte
3. J D Salinger
4. Franz Kafka
5. Virginia Woolf