Euphemisms are words or phrases used to to express what we want to say without actualy saying it!
Maybe we want to avoid being blunt or offensive, so they are often used to describe something in a more indirect or polite way, or to soften the impact of something that might be considered unpleasant, taboo, or socially inappropriate.
Examples of euphemisms include phrases like “pass away” instead of “die,” “downsizing” instead of “layoffs,” or “pre-owned” instead of “used.”
Euphemisms can be found in many areas of language and communication, including everyday conversation, formal writing, and advertising. They are often used in sensitive or controversial topics, such as death, illness, sex, or bodily functions, but they can also be used for more innocuous or lighthearted topics.
Euphemisms are particularly commonly in Britain, where we are rather fond of ‘mincing our words’ and are often considered a part of the British culture and communication style. British people tend to use euphemisms in everyday conversation, as well as in more formal settings.
I haven’t lost my keys I am having a cognitive failure
In addition, British English has many unique and colourful euphemisms that are not commonly used in other English-speaking countries. These include phrases like “taking the mickey” (making fun of someone), “chuffed to bits” (very pleased), and “barking up the wrong tree” (pursuing a mistaken idea).
Avoiding an uncomfortable subject
Death
It’s not surprising that there are quite a few euphemisms for death as it’s not really a very nice subject.
She’s passed on.
She’s passed away.
She’s met her maker.
We’ve lost her.
She’s been put to sleep / put down. — for describing when a pet has to be killed by the vet
Losing your job
Another uncomfortable subject and no polite way to say it really, but here are a few common euphemism we use when we ‘lose’ our job.
They’ve let me go at work.
I am not unemployed, I’m just between jobs at the moment.
I am not unable to find a job, I am just considering my options
I wasn’t fired, the company is just downsizing
Talking about things that are ‘taboo’
Taboo subjects very much depend on the culture or society in which they exist. Referring to someone’s age, size or colour of skin is frowned upon in some society’s and tolerated in other’s.
You’re not old, you’re over the hill
The item isn’t stolen, it’s fallen off the back of a lorry
It’s not pornography, it’s adult entertainment
They didn’t get a divorce, they just consciously uncoupled
What we can and can’t say also changes from generation to generation. Lying is a big taboo in most cultures, and always a hot topic. It’s not surprising that there are so many euphemisms for it, from differentiating it into a ‘white lie’ when it is deemed to be ‘harmless’ to the more blatant ‘alterante fact’, excuse.
Stretching the truth – exaggerating or distorting the facts
Fudging the numbers – manipulating data or statistics
Misrepresenting the facts – presenting information in a misleading way
Economical with the truth – withholding or omitting relevant information
Creative interpretation – putting a spin on the facts to suit one’s agenda
Not telling the whole truth – deliberately leaving out important details
White lie – a minor or harmless lie told to avoid hurting someone’s feelings
Alternative fact – a term coined to describe a false statement presented as if it were true
Misspoke – accidentally saying something untrue or misleading
Embellishing the truth – adding details or embellishments to make a story more interesting, even if they are not entirely accurate.
You can also pull the wool over someone’s eyes or
Pull someones leg.
Euphemisms for things that are generally socially inappropriate
Again, what is appropriate or not very much depends on cultural norms within a society.
We may not want to say that we haven’t got any money, preferring instead economically challenged.
Correctional facility instead of “prison”
Special needs instead of “disabled”
Undocumented immigrant instead of “illegal immigrant”
Some euphemisms can help to make uncomfortable topics more palatable or less offensive, but they can also be used to conceal or distort the truth.
Ethnic cleansing instead of “genocide”
Enhanced interrogation instead of ‘torture’
Euphemisms have been around forever and they have always been interesting for language learners. Here are some of the more imaginative ones we have found from famous literature: Can you work out what they are referancing?
In wifehood I will use my instrument, As freely as my Maker has it sent. – The Wife of Bath’s Prologue from Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales (1392)
I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs. – Iago in William Shakespeare’s play Othello (1604)
She made great Caesar lay his sword to bed; He plowed her, and she cropped – Agrippa, speaking of Cleopatra in Shakespeare’s play Antony and Cleopatra (1606)
Don’t ever call me mad, Mycroft. I’m not mad. I’m just… well, differently moraled, that’s all. – Acheron Hades in Jasper Fforde’s novel The Eyre Affair (2001)
I like to think of myself more as an outcome engineer – Lover Eternal, J.R. Ward
“When my mother passed away several years ago—well, wait a minute. Actually, she didn’t ‘pass away.’ She died. Something about that verb, ‘to pass away’ always sounds to me as if someone just drifted through the wallpaper. No, my mother did not pass away. She definitely died.”
Comedian Steve Allen comes right out with it and attacks a common euphemism.
Of course, there are many more euphemisms, if you can think of any leave a comment below, and please remember:
