Litotes

From the Greek ‪απλότης‬ meaning “simple”.

We all use it.

That is not bad. (Means: It is OK).
It is not unusual. (It is often done).
The dinner did not disappoint.

Historically the classic is Emperor Hirohito. When, for the first time the sacred Son of Heaven spoke to his people on the new radio the situation in Japan was dire. The country fced the entire might of the US airforce. The Imperial navy was at the bottom of the sea and the Shikoku (Air force) almost entirely wiped out. On top of all this, two atom bombs had been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and there was a real threat that the sacred soil of Japan would soon be facing a mighty invasion force.

His divine words?

“The war situatiojn has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage.”

That is litotes at its very best. Not bad eh?

English does not like a double negative, so when we use it, we always make sure that we are, how shall we say? - not exactly telling an untruth and not exactly being ironic. We are, however, without exception, not ungrateful for a wry smile.

It is Christmas 2019 when I am presenting this. Here is your Christmas Quiz: How many examples of litotes can you find?