the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
the expression so substituted: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”
Origin of euphemism
1650–60; <Greek euphēmismós the use of words of good omen, equivalent to eu-eu- + phḗm(ē) speaking, fame + -ismos-ism
OTHER WORDS FROM euphemism
eu·phe·mist,nouneu·phe·mis·tic,eu·phe·mis·ti·cal,eu·phe·mi·ous[yoo-fee-mee-uhs], /yuˈfi mi əs/, adjectiveeu·phe·mis·ti·cal·ly,eu·phe·mi·ous·ly,adverbun·eu·phe·mis·tic,adjective
First, to increase domestic oil production and reduce dependence on “foreign oil,” a euphemism for imports from OPEC countries.
The Trump administration opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil companies—but none may bite|By Scott L. Montgomery/The Conversation|August 26, 2020|Popular Science
The euphemism most commonly used by convicts for dying is to “be taken off the count.”
A Million Ways to Die in Prison|Daniel Genis|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The euphemism of “collateral damage” comes with that package.
Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’|Clive Irving|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Babylon could be a euphemism for Rome or it could just be a metaphor for imagined exile.
Who Really Put the Pope in Charge?|Candida Moss|April 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Expense is a euphemism here; for insurers, birth control saves more in medical bills that it costs.
How ‘Religious Freedom’ Is Hurting Everyone’s Freedom|Robert Shrum|March 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
French comedian Dieudonné has paid a high price for his “anti-establishment” (a euphemism for anti-Semitic) outbursts.
How (Not) to Fight Racism and Anti-Semitism|Jacob Mchangama|February 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was exactly in the frame of mind to grasp at the euphemism offered by Selma.
Unleavened Bread|Robert Grant
Finally, we observe the same principle in euphemism, or that form of speech which avoids calling things by their names.
The Romance of Words (4th ed.)|Ernest Weekley
This may be a mere mis-spelling of "God," or a sort of euphemism like the modern "thank goodness!"
A Letter Book|George Saintsbury
There is nothing you need hesitate to tell me, and, besides, you are justly celebrated for your use of euphemism.
Letters to an Unknown|Prosper Mrime
Only one disciplinary case, to employ the euphemism of the last official report, seems to have occurred.
Social Transformations of the Victorian Age|T. H. S. (Thomas Hay Sweet) Escott
British Dictionary definitions for euphemism
euphemism
/ (ˈjuːfɪˌmɪzəm) /
noun
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
the use of such inoffensive words or phrases
Derived forms of euphemism
euphemistic, adjectiveeuphemistically, adverb
Word Origin for euphemism
C17: from Greek euphēmismos, from eu- + phēmē speech
What “Occupy” Used To Mean May Make You BlushThe word "occupy" has an unexpected obsolete definition, which got us thinking about other words that have been used and that we still use as euphemisms.
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Are Political Euphemisms Good Or Bad For The People?Review these euphemisms used in contemporary politics so you can see through the doublespeak and know what's actually being said.
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.”