Similarly the Hindus think that a child's name should not be repeated at night, lest an owl might hear it, when this bird could injure the child through its name, just as if it got hold of a piece of cloth worn or soiled by the child.

The practice of euphemism rests on this belief, as it was thought that if a person's name was said and a part of him was thus caused to be present the rest would probably follow.

Hence the rule of avoiding the use of the names of persons or things of which one does not desire the presence.

Thus Sir E.B.Tylor says: "The Dayak will not speak of the smallpox by name, but will call it 'The Chief,' or 'Jungle leaves,' or say, 'Has He left you ?' The euphemism of calling the Furies the Eumenides, or 'Gracious Ones,' is the stock illustration of this feeling, and the euphemisms for fairies and for the devil are too familiar to quote." [117] Similarly the name of a god was considered as part of him and hence partaking of his divine nature.

It was thus so potent that it could not be mentioned on ordinary occasions or by common persons.