The Crafty World of Euphemisms

Have you ever wondered why we say “passed away” instead of “died”? Or why “letting someone go” sounds so much nicer than “firing someone”?

That’s the sneaky world of euphemisms—fancy phrases that make uncomfortable topics easier to swallow. 

For instance, instead of saying someone is “unemployed,” we might go with the more delicate “between jobs.” And when someone is “economical with the truth,” it’s just a fancy way of saying they’re “lying.”

But wait, there’s more! Ever heard of a “sanitation engineer”? Nope, it’s not a superhero—just a fancy term for a „refuse collector„. Makes it sound more important, doesn’t it? And “pre-loved” – that’s the classy way of saying “second-hand.” Suddenly, that old sweater feels like a vintage treasure.

So, why do we play this word game? Well, we want to avoid hurting people’s feelings. And sometimes, a softer word can make a difficult conversation a little easier.

But here’s the twist: Euphemisms can be like a GPS that leads you to the wrong destination. When a company says they’re “rightsizing,” it often means they’re saying goodbye to some employees. 

Sneaky, right?

So, let’s use these words wisely. Honesty is still the best policy, even if it’s not always the comfiest pillow to rest your head on. 😄🗣️

Would you like to share your own favourites?