| Being polite and courteous in communication is the embodiment of contemporary civilization and self-cultivation, thus enhancing the living and working environment. In the field of linguistics, many famous scholars such as Lakoff, Leech, Brown and Levinson etc., have already discussed this language phenomenon. They specialize in the models, theories, strategies etc. of politeness. This paper employs Brown and Levinson's strategies of politeness to analyse the application of language. Compared with the other theories, their theory is more complete and applicable. Furthermore, Brown and Levinson's theory puts much emphasis on politeness in verbal communication, which just accords with the subject of this paper: hyperbole, as a figure of speech, helps to enhance politeness in daily communication.Hyperbole is ubiquitous in life. As a figure of speech, it has a long history in literary works, especially in poetry. However, many linguists have observed its pervasiveness in daily communication in recent years. And the mutual understanding in communication will make hyperbole more useful because it only over-exaggerates the speaker's meaning. There is fundamental difference between hyperbole and irony. Hyperbole is not lie. Its essence is truth. The speaker employs this method to show his intense feeling and sincere attitude toward the listener, thus the listener can vividly feel the speaker's real intention. From this point, the wise use of hyperbole can make communication more polite and make the relationship between people more harmonious.This paper employs the conversations in one of the recently most popular TV series Desperate Housewives of America to demonstrate the effects of hyperbole with the help of linguistic strategies of politeness. This series has received many awards and its dialogues are just the research sources of this paper. After the analysis, it is testified that hyperbole does have a place in enhancing politeness in daily communication.
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