euthenism

The story parents tell little kids to explain what happened to a dead pet. A portmanteau of euthanasia and euphemism.

"He's living on a farm upstate now." is an example of a euthenism.

euthenism by hmgauss October 6, 2010

Euphemism Treadmill

A euphemism is a term or a phrase used by individuals to refer to a controversial topic as overwhelmingly inoffensive as possible, as opposed to being politically incorrect (aka "enthusiastically offensive").

Unfortunately, the overuse of a euphemism will eventually devolve its meaning to the extent that itself becomes politically incorrect and will have to be replaced with another euphemism. This is a sociolinguistic phenomenon to as the "euphemism treadmill".

The term "mental retardation" was once a euphemism and politically correct term used to describe stupidity. The previous term was imbecile which was an actual medical category which comprised of idiots (IQ 0 to 25), imbeciles (IQ 26 to 50), and morons (IQ 51 to 70).

Over time, mental retardation and its associated verb "retard" became as corrupted as "imbecile" and "idiot" and was eventually replaced with "intellectual disability". It is now only a matter of time when being "disabled" is offensive and once again, slides down the euphemism treadmill.

Euphemism Treadmill by Ἀπολλύων October 21, 2016

extheism 

The state of rejection of any make beliefs pertaining to the existence of god (also known as cults & religions of same) which were programmed from birth, reached for due to life trauma, clutched at for group identity, financial greed reasons, shelter from addictions or leaned on to quell fear of the unknown or other disturbing fears and a plethora of classic human weaknesses.

After years of brain-washing and constant systematic reinforcement of existence of god; James decided to embrace extheism in order to get honest and put aside the following of make beliefs which were a product of childhood suseptablility so that he could accept the mystery of life and do the right things without the crutch and pretense of trumped up constructs.

extheism by jim christ April 13, 2009

euphemism treadmill

The process by which a pejorative term is replaced by a more politically correct term, only to over time be corrupted and used pejoratively itself until a new term is introduced, upon which the cycle repeats itself.

So named because walking on a treadmill gives you the illusion of going somewhere, when actually not making any progress. Basically a form of political correctness masturbation.

The best example of a euphemism treadmill is the word "retarded", which was originally adopted as a more apt and kinder alternative to previous medical terms such as "moron", "imbecile", and "idiot".

"Retarded" is currently considered a pejorative insult, so new terms have been invented such as "special needs" and "intellectualy disabled" , which will in time become pejorative insults themselves. Thus retarded SJW's, downie parents, and the self-righteous will always have something to bitch about.

euphemism treadmill by Frank Marlowe May 12, 2016

euphemism 

1. the substitution of a milder, vaguer word or expression for one considered to be offensive or unpleasant.
2. the word or expression so substituted.

"Put to sleep" is a euphemism for "kill".

euphemism by ed January 19, 2003

Ethanism 

A type of religion in with a person named Ethan is ranked very highly on the social ladder. He typically has many followers that do what ever he wants. They follow him and are at his beck and call. His followers can't live with out him and rely on him as a source of happiness.

Person 1: have you seen Ethan today?
Person 2: Yeah, last time I saw him he was preaching about Ethanism.

Ethanism by Gymnast27 May 23, 2019

euphemism 

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}

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.

euphemism by ~The Nameless One~ December 28, 2005