euphemism

American  

[yoo-fuh-miz-uhm] / ˈyu fəˌmɪz əm /

noun

1. the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.

2. the expression so substituted.

   “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”

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euphemism British  

/ ˈjuːfɪˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. an inoffensive word or phrase substituted for one considered offensive or hurtful, esp one concerned with religion, sex, death, or excreta. Examples of euphemisms are sleep with for have sexual intercourse with; departed for dead; relieve oneself for urinate

2. the use of such inoffensive words or phrases

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euphemism Cultural  

1. An agreeable word or expression substituted for one that is potentially offensive, often having to do with bodily functions, sex, or death; for example, rest room for toilet, lady of the evening for prostitute. The Nazis used euphemism in referring to their plan to murder the world's Jews (see also Jews) as “the Final Solution.”

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uneuphemistic
  adjective
• euphemiously
  adverb
• euphemist
  noun
• euphemistically
  adverb
• euphemistical
  adjective
• uneuphemistically
  adverb
• euphemistic
  adjective
• uneuphemistical
  adjective
• euphemious
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of euphemism

First recorded in 1650–60; from Greek euphēmismós “use of words of good omen,” from eu- eu- + phḗm(ē) “speaking, fame” + -ismos -ism

Explanation

Pardon me, but when a polite term is substituted for a blunt, offensive one, you should call it a euphemism. Euphemism is from Greek euphemismos, meaning "good speech," and it's a way that we paper over uncomfortable things with more pleasant-sounding words. These days we tend to use euphemisms when talking about anything having to do with elimination of bodily waste: toilet, bathroom, and water closet were all originally euphemisms. The military is also notorious for using euphemisms, like saying "neutralizing the target" instead of "killing someone."

Example Sentences

Euphemism elided truth, and when the truth couldn’t be denied, it was acknowledged with little sense of pleasure or celebration.

From Washington Post • Jun. 20, 2019

I trace it in the book back a couple decades to what I call the Age of Euphemism.

From Slate • Nov. 21, 2017

Best Euphemism: When talking about Drew, Des says, “I just want to give him the world.”

From Time • Jul. 30, 2013

The Best Use of a Euphemism: Biden calls out “marlarkey” when he sees it: "This is a bunch of stuff."

From Slate • Oct. 12, 2012

Euphemism, ū′fem-izm, n. a figure of rhetoric by which an unpleasant or offensive thing is designated by an indirect and milder term.—v.t. or v.i.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various