Euphemisms

A Euphemism is used to make something sound better than it actually is.

Wiktionary defines it as "The use of a word or phrase to replace another with one that is considered less offensive or less vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces."

Examples

 * passed away: died
 * went to heaven: died (often used with children, as in "Grandma went to heaven.")
 * downsizing: getting rid of employees
 * sanitation worker: trash collector
 * fatal injury: death
 * fatality: dead/killed person
 * fence: wall
 * casualties: deaths and injuries
 * collateral damage: damage, death, injury to non-combatants and their property
 * sharpshooter: sniper
 * promoting democracy: enforcing hegemonic rule
 * active defending: attacking
 * pre-loved: divorced
 * pre-owned: used
 * abuse: torture
 * coercive interrogation techniques: torture
 * neutralize: assassinate

Related SourceWatch articles

 * doublespeak
 * Ethnic cleansing
 * Final solution
 * Public Diplomacy

External articles

 * Spencer Akerman, "A Glossary of Iraq Euphemisms", The American Prospect, August 6, 2008.
 * Glenn Thompson, "The 12 Most Horrifically Misleading Euphemisms", Cracked.com, December 16, 2008.
 * Glenn Greenwald, "The NYT's nice, new euphemism for torture", Salon, June 6, 2009.

External resources

 * Euphemisms, Propaganda Critic, accessed November 2010.
 * What is a Euphemism?, Wise Geek, accessed November 2010.