Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M3162

Periphrasis

Periphrasis
CollaborateHigh supportRhetoric
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Using a lengthy description instead of a simple name. It can be a flaw (verbosity) or a rhetorical device (e.g., using "fragrant liquid" instead of "perfume").

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Indirect description. Use periphrasis when you want to avoid directly mentioning something (such as death or excretion) or to add literary color. But be careful: overuse can turn into nonsense.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Substituting a roundabout description for a direct name allows a trade-off among avoiding direct sensitive references, adding rhetorical color, or creating a sense of distance.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PeriphrasisZH · Explicit
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