Circumlocution (also called circumduction, circumvolution, periphrasis, kenning,[1][dubious – discuss] or ambage[citation needed]) is the use of an unnecessarily large number of words to express an idea.
It is sometimes necessary in communication (for example, to work around lexical gaps that might otherwise lead to untranslatability), but it can also be undesirable (when an uncommon or easily misunderstood figure of speech is used).
[2] It can also come in the form of roundabout speech wherein many words are used to describe something that already has a common and concise term (for example, saying "a tool used for cutting things such as paper and hair" instead of "scissors").
A [spider] is an arachnid that catches insects in its web.Synonyms and simile are two other common circumlocution strategies.
Euphemistic circumlocution is also used to avoid saying "unlucky words"—words which are taboo for reasons connected with superstition: for example, calling the devil "Old Nick",[note 1] calling Macbeth "the Scottish Play" or saying "baker's dozen" instead of thirteen.