# Euphemisms I hate **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 6, 2013, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612 "2013-05-06T13:52:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/21 "2013-05-06T16:38:01Z")
Okay… here’s another one: inappropriate use of “hero.” No, not the sandwich; that IS appropriate. This term is applied very loosely in situations that don’t warrant it and that diminish the actions of those who truly are heroes. The threshold for calling something a herioc act has gotten very low. Example: in my city, the major grocery store chain had an ad campaign where they flat-out said that if you brought home certain grocery items, you were a hero to your kids. That’s just ludicrous. Maybe this is part of the movement to level the playing field by refusing to recognize authentic achievement because it hurts to be a loser and we don’t want to hurt anyone. I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/22 "2013-05-06T16:50:16Z")
> [@cwthree](#): > > Speaking of soldiers, I’d like to see the phrase “gave his/her/their life” stricken from the English language. Soldiers (not to mention cops, firefighters, rescue personnel, etc) don’t “give their lives.” They are _killed_. They fucking _die_. They don’t hand up their life-force on bended knee as an offering to Jehovah, Allah, Cthulhu, or the Flying Spaghetti monster. They get shot, blown up, run over, stabbed, and otherwise meet bloody, undignified deaths. Their lives are taken, not given. > > Same thing for “the ultimate sacrifice.” A sacrifice is a ritualized killing intended to facilitate a specific goal. The thing that is sacrificed is selected for its role. Soldiers, cops, firefighters, etc. are not carefully chosen to die in a choreographed spectacle or a field of glory. They aren’t Mesoamerican warrior-prisoners, groomed and feted for a year before being led out to be killed by the king in front of a crowd of onlookers in order to ensure the fertility of the land and the power of the monarch. Unless you live in a parallel dimension where police, firefighters, and rescue workers are conscripts who’ve been forced into their line of work, then the argument can and has been made that they have agreed of their own free will to take a job which they know full well carries a real and non-hypothetical risk of dying in the line of duty. I’d call that a hell of a sacrifice. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/23 "2013-05-06T16:54:02Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Okay… here’s another one: inappropriate use of “hero.” No, not the sandwich; that IS appropriate. That’s not a euphemism. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/24 "2013-05-06T17:11:09Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > 1. Killing > > First, the hunting euphemisms: harvesting, taking, culling, thinning. It’s _killing_, so let’s just call it that. Lots of people do it. My late husband was a competent, enthusiastic, responsible hunter, and I’m not anti-hunting. If you have the balls and the stomach to gut a warm, bleeding animal whose life you just took for sport, not necessity, then at least have the balls and the stomach to use the Real Word to describe the act. > > Second, years ago the term “ethnic cleansing” came to be used in news reports as a substitute for what it really is: murder and genocide. News organizations pride themselves on being hard-hitting and brutally honest. So don’t stoop to using the terms that the murderers have invented to make their crimes easy to talk about in public. Call things by their real names. You’re mixing up the difference between a broad definition and a narrow definition. Certainly, yes, any taking of life is killing. But there are many different types of killing for many different reasons. If you see a headline “Man Kills Neighbor” that doesn’t tell you much about what happened. Was it intentional? Was it premeditated? Was the neighbor caught while being a burglar? Etc., etc. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/25 "2013-05-06T17:16:49Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > … > > For my part, the euphemism I dislike most is the newish term “passed” for “died.” For awhile the thing to say was “passed away,” but at some point 15-20 years ago, I think, people started saying just “passed,” e.g. “Grandma passed last night” or “Ah, Uncle Dave is passed now.” I make a point of never using the terms “passed” or “passed away,” in part to ensure my daughter is correctly taught to deal with death and funerals and whatnot. The terms “die,” “died” and “dead” are perfectly good ones and there is no need to use any other. The worst euphemism for “died” that I have ever seen is “went to sleep.” I mean, _really_?? I saw it in an ad in a choir concert program. Someone had put in an ad saying that they’d donated money to the choir, “in memory of so-and-so, who went to sleep on such-and-such a date.” Umm, most people go to sleep almost every night of their lives… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/26 "2013-05-06T17:19:43Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > For my part, the euphemism I dislike most is the newish term “passed” for “died.” For awhile the thing to say was “passed away,” but at some point 15-20 years ago, I think, people started saying just “passed,” e.g. “Grandma passed last night” or “Ah, Uncle Dave is passed now.” I make a point of never using the terms “passed” or “passed away,” in part to ensure my daughter is correctly taught to deal with death and funerals and whatnot. The terms “die,” “died” and “dead” are perfectly good ones and there is no need to use any other. This one I hate as well. When I hear it, I always want to say, “Passed **what**? A kidney stone?” One that hasn’t been brought up yet is the general and oh-so-widespread usage of “saving lives.” Every single time somebody is rescued from a life-threatening situation, or had CPR performed successfully, it’s reported as “man’s life is saved.” Um, no–not at all. Unless the mere fact that this person was prevented from dying in this particular way at this particular time somehow means that he will live forever, no. ALL THE RESCUER DID WAS **PROLONG** HIS LIFE! I hate, hate, hate this usage of “saving lives” with a passion. When I am Dictator of the World ™, anybody stupid enough to use this phrase will be publicly whipped. ---
**Author:** ![Mathematics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mathematics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mathematics)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/27 "2013-05-06T17:19:51Z")
I must be the sort of weak-minded person that likes euphemisms. When I hear about 5 babies that died in a bus crash or something, I’d prefer if someone told me they passed away than “THEY’RE DEAD!” It doesn’t really change the meaning, but it does sound a bit softer. Words are not only made up of their dictionary meaning. They also have emotional connotations. That said, I do hate ‘curvy’. I don’t really see that as a euphemism so much as a complete inaccuracy most of the time. Obese women are generally decidedly less ‘curvy’ than even the thinnest of women because of a lack of definition. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/28 "2013-05-06T17:22:15Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > But you wouldn’t say “A helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan yesterday: 8 soldiers passed.” No, because all newsworthy deaths are present tense, always - “Eight solders are dead tonight…” ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/29 "2013-05-06T17:26:29Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > This one I hate as well. When I hear it, I always want to say, “Passed **what**? A kidney stone?” I assume they mean “passed on to the next life.” Which is why I hate it. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/30 "2013-05-06T17:28:30Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > The worst euphemism for “died” that I have ever seen is “went to sleep.” I mean, _really_?? I saw it in an ad in a choir concert program. Someone had put in an ad saying that they’d donated money to the choir, “in memory of so-and-so, who went to sleep on such-and-such a date.” > > Umm, most people go to sleep almost every night of their lives… :rolleyes: That’s not really a euphemism in the normal sense, but rather an expression of Christian faith, as a means of showing that death is not final. If you want to blame anybody for it, blame Jesus. “These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.” – John 11:11-14. “While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.” – Luke 8:49-55 ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/31 "2013-05-06T17:32:48Z")
At an employer I am aware of, they do not use the term “fired” or “layed off” or “terminated” or even in casual conversation “canned”. No, the term of art used is “non-retained”. WTF? I imagine every time they are “non-retaining” someone the conversation goes something like this: Boss: I have some bad news for you. Employee: OK, (sigh) lay it on me. Boss: You are being non-retained. Employee: I’m what? Boss: Non-retained. Employee: What does that mean exactly? Boss: You are no longer retained by the organization. Employee: Sorry, I’m just not following… Boss: (SIGH) You are fired! Employee: GEEZ, man, well why didn’t you say so? ---
**Author:** ![Ms.Pumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a87d85/32.png) [@Ms.Pumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms.Pumpkin)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/32 "2013-05-06T17:37:16Z")
Ugh, “passed” grates on my nerves, as well. Any euphemism for died, really. I saw an obit once that said, so-and-so “slipped gently into the arms of the lord.” That sounds like it belongs in a bad romance novel! I do say “passed away”, out of politeness, since I’ve gotten people upset before, by saying “died”. :rolleyes: And I’m fat _and_ curvy, but I agree one doesn’t always equal the other. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/33 "2013-05-06T17:41:11Z")
**Flyer** , you’re simply misunderstanding what the phrase “saving a life” means. It doesn’t mean that the life can never be lost later for any other reason, any more than “saving money” means you can never spend that money on anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/34 "2013-05-06T17:45:46Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’ve never even visited this forum before, let alone posted here. Very cool. Really? Because you registered three years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/35 "2013-05-06T17:56:14Z")
> [@Ms.Pumpkin](#): > > Ugh, “passed” grates on my nerves, as well. Any euphemism for died, really. I saw an obit once that said, so-and-so “slipped gently into the arms of the lord.” That sounds like it belongs in a bad romance novel! I do say “passed away”, out of politeness, since I’ve gotten people upset before, by saying “died”. :rolleyes: I used to be active in a few on-line cancer support groups. One young women whose husband died had obviously heard the phrase “passed away” spoken but had never seen in written. She spelled it “past away”, which I thought was somewhat oddly appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/36 "2013-05-06T18:16:21Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Really? Because you registered three years ago. I think she means the Pit specifically. As a woman who is decidedly curvy (hips 10+ inches wider than waist) I get behind the OP’s rant. It’s fine to say you are curvy when you’re overweight… As long as you are overweight AND curvy. If you are overweight and apple shaped, you are not curvy and your pants are on fire. Curvy is a shape not a size, and it means a distinctly indented waist. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/37 "2013-05-06T18:40:24Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > I think she means the Pit specifically. In that case, let me be the first to congratulate the OP on her restraint. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/38 "2013-05-06T18:46:49Z")
If you think ‘passed’ is bad, try ‘passed over the rainbow bridge’. Yes, I have heard people use it seriously. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/39 "2013-05-06T19:09:49Z")
Enhanced interrogation techniques. ---
**Author:** ![cwthree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/40 "2013-05-06T19:33:00Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > If you think ‘passed’ is bad, try ‘passed over the rainbow bridge’. > > Yes, I have heard people use it seriously. Urgh. “Crossed the rainbow bridge” is a popular way of saying, “My beloved pet died” around here. I am reasonably certain that even if my pets could have comprehended the idea of an afterlife, their vision would not involve rainbows. Tuna, discarded sandwich wrappers, and decomposing pigeon wings is more like it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612.md?page=3)