Euphemism 101
The definition for this word is: "a substitution for a word or phrase to make it more pleasant and less offensive."
What is "euphemism"?
"She's passed away."
What is "dead"?
"He likes his food."
What is "overweight"?
"They're no longer with us."
What is "dead"?
Someone who has died...
What is "they're in a better place now; they've moved on; they've passed away; they've kicked the bucket, etc."?
The origin of this word is Greek.
What is "euphemism"?
"She's between jobs."
What is "unemployed"?
"She's a bit unmotivated."
What is "lazy"?
"He didn't make it."
What is "died"?
Someone who got fired...
What is "they're being let go; their department is being downsized, etc."?
This type of euphemism creates an entirely new scene to refer to the situation being discussed.
What is "abstraction"?
"He's stretching the truth."
What is "lying"?
"He's a bit thin on top."
What is "bald"?
"He's not the sharpest tool in the shed."
What is "unintelligent"?
Someone who is homeless...
What is "they're sleeping rough; they're on the streets, etc."?
This type of euphemism creates distance between the speaker and the situation.
What is "indirection"?
"He's getting on a bit."
What is "old"?
"They're being economical with the truth."
What is "lying"?
"She's not the prettiest flower in the garden."
What is "unattractive"?
Someone who is unattractive...
What is "they have a lovely personality; they're conventionally unattractive; they're unfortunate looking; they don't photograph well; they could try a little harder, etc."?
This type of euphemism softens the topic by downplaying it.
What is "litotes"?
"He's a few sandwiches short of a picnic."
What is "crazy"?
"He's in the gents."
What is "in the bathroom"?
"It was not intentional."
What is "mistake"?
Someone who is unintelligent...
What is "they're not the sharpest tool in the shed; not the sharpest pencil in the box, etc."?