Euphemism Quiz: Which of These Are Actual Euphemisms?
A euphemism is a safe word or phrase that’s used in place of another word that’s considered too harsh or blunt. For example, instead of using a word like ‘death,’ which can be considered harsh, you can use ‘passed away.’ Another great example is how lawyers use euphemisms instead of saying something unpleasant over and over again in a courtroom. They might say ‘bodily fluids’ instead of the other word.
People might see no reason to use the euphemistic version of any word or phrase, but it’s actually more common than you think. Many of the things we say in our everyday speech are euphemisms even if you had no idea they were euphemisms. Do you think you could identify a euphemism if we asked you to pick one out of a lineup?
Euphemism
The definition of a euphemism is to use a less offensive word or phrase, like a safe word, that is less harsh and is considered to be a nicer way of saying it. For example, older women who like to date younger men are called cougars, which is a euphemism.
Another way to use a euphemism might be when you're describing something disgusting and you just don't want to repeat the more offensive word or phrase. It's a safe way to describe something to people without offending anyone, and it's used much more often in everyday language than most people realize.
