A word people use because they like deceiving themselves to believe we live in a Utopia.
Mostly they're used by organizations and "considerate" people who don't want to offend the "situationally disturbed" citizens.
George Carlin, a comedian, did a great schpiel about euphemisms once. (A few of the following examples are in his speech.)
You should read it. It may not "open your eyes," but you'll realize how much we like to disguise our speech and blind ourselves. Disguising a condition with nicer, longer words doesn't change the fact that you still have the condition. Sorry.
(Note: Not all examples {e.g. black/white} are "conditions" or negative at all}
Mostly they're used by organizations and "considerate" people who don't want to offend the "situationally disturbed" citizens.
George Carlin, a comedian, did a great schpiel about euphemisms once. (A few of the following examples are in his speech.)
You should read it. It may not "open your eyes," but you'll realize how much we like to disguise our speech and blind ourselves. Disguising a condition with nicer, longer words doesn't change the fact that you still have the condition. Sorry.
(Note: Not all examples {e.g. black/white} are "conditions" or negative at all}
IMO, There's nothing wrong with most of the following conditions; they just warrant a euphemism because society can't accept reality. Many are unavoidable.
I just call 'em like I see em.
Nobody:
is old, they're elderly senior citizens.
is gay, they're homosexual.
is poor, they're in poverty.
is black, they're African American.
is white, they're Caucasian.
is fat, they're obese.
is a slut, they're promiscuous.
is crippled, they're handicapped.
is deaf, they're hearing impaired.
is blind, they're visually impaired.
is retarded, they're mentally challenged.
is short, they're vertically challenged.
is stupid, they're academically challenged.
I could go on.
I just call 'em like I see em.
Nobody:
is old, they're elderly senior citizens.
is gay, they're homosexual.
is poor, they're in poverty.
is black, they're African American.
is white, they're Caucasian.
is fat, they're obese.
is a slut, they're promiscuous.
is crippled, they're handicapped.
is deaf, they're hearing impaired.
is blind, they're visually impaired.
is retarded, they're mentally challenged.
is short, they're vertically challenged.
is stupid, they're academically challenged.
I could go on.
by ~The Nameless One~ December 28, 2005
Get the euphemism mug.a less direct word used to refer to something unpleasant or embarrassing, often so as to avoid offence.
it was a euphemism for ignorance.
by it's d queen June 5, 2020
Get the euphemism mug.Related Words
by the koz October 24, 2003
Get the euphemism mug.A substitute word or phrase that, while constructed to be socially more acceptable, drastically subtracts from the legitimate intent and purpose of the original.
So, how do we go from 'shell-shock' to 'battle-fatigue', from 'old dude' to 'senior citizen', from 'rape victim' to 'unconsenting intimacy participant'? Because our culture thrives on caustic euphemism: The dumbed-down, homogenized, neutralized language of the mindless majority who want it that way...
by YAWA August 18, 2019
Get the caustic euphemism mug.I feel like the book took a more euphemismic approach to explaining the sexual misconduct the young boy had during his promiscuous appetite .
by snowjunky555 February 24, 2010
Get the euphemismic mug.noun
1. A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too truthful.
2. A lie
3. A word used by politician when they don't know what "euphenism " means or how to pronounce it.
1. A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too truthful.
2. A lie
3. A word used by politician when they don't know what "euphenism " means or how to pronounce it.
From Donald Trump speech at Carrier
'And then they played my statement, and I said, 'Carrier will never leave.' But that was a euphenism. I was talking about Carrier like all other companies from here on in because they made the decision a year and a half ago. "
'And then they played my statement, and I said, 'Carrier will never leave.' But that was a euphenism. I was talking about Carrier like all other companies from here on in because they made the decision a year and a half ago. "
by Breeasy December 3, 2016
Get the euphenism mug.The act or an example of substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive:
Euphemism is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling to the listener than the word or phrase it replaces, or in the case of doublespeak to make it less troublesome for the speaker.
When a phrase is used as a euphemism, it often becomes a metaphor whose literal meaning is dropped. Euphemisms are often used to hide unpleasant or disturbing ideas, even when the literal term for them is not necessarily offensive. This type of euphemism is used in public relations and politics, where it is sometimes disparagingly called doublespeak. There are also superstitious euphemisms, based (consciously or subconsciously) on the idea that words have the power to bring bad fortune (for example, not speaking the word "cancer"; see Etymology and Common examples below) and religious euphemisms, based on the idea that some words are sacred, or that some words are spiritually imperiling (taboo; see Etymology and Religious euphemisms below).
Euphemism is an expression intended by the speaker to be less offensive, disturbing, or troubling to the listener than the word or phrase it replaces, or in the case of doublespeak to make it less troublesome for the speaker.
When a phrase is used as a euphemism, it often becomes a metaphor whose literal meaning is dropped. Euphemisms are often used to hide unpleasant or disturbing ideas, even when the literal term for them is not necessarily offensive. This type of euphemism is used in public relations and politics, where it is sometimes disparagingly called doublespeak. There are also superstitious euphemisms, based (consciously or subconsciously) on the idea that words have the power to bring bad fortune (for example, not speaking the word "cancer"; see Etymology and Common examples below) and religious euphemisms, based on the idea that some words are sacred, or that some words are spiritually imperiling (taboo; see Etymology and Religious euphemisms below).
The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression to replace one that might offend or suggest something unpleasant, for example, "he is at rest" is a euphemism for "he is dead."
“Euphemisms such as ‘slumber room’ . . . abound in the funeral business”.
“Euphemisms such as ‘slumber room’ . . . abound in the funeral business”.
by UDAI June 11, 2006
Get the Euphemisms mug.