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Euphemism is the substitution of an inoffensive expression (such as "passed away") for one considered offensively explicit ("died"). Contrast with dysphemism. Adjective: euphemistic.
In his Oxford Dictionary of Euphemisms (2007), R.W. Holder notes that in speech or writing "we use euphemism for dealing with taboo or sensitive subjects. It is therefore the language of evasion, hypocrisy, prudery, and deceit." According to Ruth Wajnryb, "euphemisms have a short shelf life - once the stigma of the original catches up to them, the battery that runs the euphemistic device goes flat. The only way forward is to invent a new euphemism" |
George Carlin, Ph.D. Linguistic Doublespeak |
Here are some of my favorite commonly used phrases that are regarded as doublespeak, and the phrase that people actually mean:
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"Pre-emptive strike" instead of unprovoked attack
"Enhanced interrogation" in place of torture "Take down" in military language instead of saying killing someone "Ethnic cleansing" instead of genocide "Ill advised" in place of highly thought against or a very bad idea "Downsizing" instead of firing people "Being held back" instead of failing or not performing well "Reducing costs" as opposed to cutting peoples' salaries "Restructuring" instead of a reorganization "Senior citizen" in place of an old person "Experienced" or "well experienced" in place of old "Well loved" as opposed to old and raggedy "Not doing so well" instead of very sick or injured "Gone to the Lord" instead of died "Crossed over to the other side" instead of dying "Put to sleep" instead of euthanize "Tired and emotional" as opposed to drinking way too much "Substance abuse problem" as opposed to a stinking drunk "Not quite clean" instead of really dirty "Person of interest" instead of a suspect in a crime "Capital punishment" instead of the death penalty "Quaint" as opposed to not terribly amusing or beautiful "Unique" instead of weird "Curvy" in place of fat "A bit shaky" as opposed to of really poor quality "Gone to greener pastures" instead of leaving "Doing business" instead of going to the bathroom |
"Well loved" as opposed to old and raggedy
"Not doing so well" instead of very sick or injured "Gone to the Lord" instead of died "Crossed over to the other side" instead of dying "Put to sleep" instead of euthanize "Tired and emotional" as opposed to drinking way too much "Substance abuse problem" as opposed to a stinking drunk "Preowned" as opposed to used and possibly beaten up "Not quite clean" instead of really dirty "Person of interest" instead of a suspect in a crime "Capital punishment" instead of the death penalty "Quaint" as opposed to not terribly amusing or beautiful "Unique" instead of weird "Curvy" in place of fat "A bit shaky" as opposed to of really poor quality "Gone to greener pastures" instead of leaving "Doing business" instead of going to the bathroom "Using the facilities" instead of going to the bathroom |