Obscure Literary Terms: Litotes

Understated. Chic. Demure.

Am I talking about Loro Piana's latest fabrics? Am I admiring Patek Philippe's newest collection of watches.

No, I'm talking about the most chic and understated bitch of the literary runway. The obscure term that has made a living out of flying under the radar. I'm talking about the ✨litotes.✨

She gets away with saying everything without saying anything. She decides who gains access to the true meaning of the speaker's words. She, that cunning term, will hide lies and truths from you.

Pronounced lie-TOH-tees, this rhetorical device is an understated way of making a point, often by using double negatives or negating the opposite.

Litotes comes from the Greek word litotēs, meaning “simplicity” or “plainness.” It’s derived from litos, which means “simple” or “meager.” This etymological root reflects the understated nature of the figure of speech itself. While it may seem modest, litotes often conveys a deeper meaning with precision.

I'm telling you! She's fierce!

In essence, litotes is a form of understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negation of its opposite. Rather than stating something outright, the speaker emphasizes its truth by downplaying it. Some examples:

Not bad (meaning good)

She's not unkind (meaning she is kind)

He’s no fool (meaning he is smart)

That wasn’t the worst meal I’ve had (meaning it was a decent meal)

You’re not wrong (meaning you’re right)

She’s not inexperienced (meaning she’s experienced)

It’s not impossible (meaning it’s possible)

It’s not unlike him to be late (meaning he’s often late)

He’s not unfamiliar with the subject (meaning he is familiar with the subject)

I can’t say I disagree (meaning I agree)

He’s not the worst singer I’ve heard (meaning he is a decent singer)

That wasn’t entirely unexpected (meaning it was expected)

I wouldn’t say no to dessert (meaning I would like dessert)

She’s not exactly thrilled about it (meaning she is unhappy about it)

This isn't rocket science (meaning it is easy)

It’s not the best weather (meaning the weather is bad)

That wasn’t the least enjoyable experience (meaning it was somewhat enjoyable)

He’s not entirely wrong (meaning he is somewhat right)

It’s not unheard of (meaning it is common or known)

That’s no small feat (meaning it is a big achievement)

You’re not exactly a stranger to this (meaning you are familiar with this)

Exactly! You use litotes all the time don't you? You’re not exactly foolish.

Litotes allows for a more restrained way to express something, often softening the blow of a harsh truth or adding a touch of irony.

"But doesn't meiosis use understatement with a touch of irony, too?" you ask. "What's the difference?"

Meiosis and litotes are both rhetorical devices involving understatement, but they differ in their purpose and execution.

Meiosis intentionally downplays the significance of something, often for ironic or humorous effect, such as calling a serious wound a "scratch," thereby emphasizing its true severity. Or calling a psychologist a "shrink" or a "glorified babysitter." Or jokingly calling your Great Dane a "lapdog."

In contrast, litotes affirms a positive statement through negation, using double negatives to express modesty or subtlety, as seen in phrases like "He's not unattractive" (meaning he is attractive).

While meiosis often carries a sarcastic or ironic tone, litotes typically maintains a more neutral or polite demeanor, softening a statement without belittling its subject.

She's cunning. She'll get you and you won't know until after the fact.

This figure of speech isn’t just found in colloquial conversation. It's been around for centuries! In classic literature, the device is used to add complexity to characters' dialogue or to enhance the irony of a situation. For instance,

In Beowulf, the phrase “that sword was not useless to the warrior now” is an example of litotes, subtly affirming the weapon’s importance without directly stating its value.

“It’s no small task.” from John Milton, Paradise Lost. Milton uses litotes to indicate that a particular task is actually quite significant and challenging.

In closing, litotes won't be the Shalom Harlow cutting up the literary runway and leaving no crumbs, but would thrive with the activist energy of Adwoa Aboah getting the job done with subtle grace and precision.

Next time you want to make a point without being overt, consider using litotes—because they're not unimportant.

Mind your p's and litotes,

Katherine Arkady,