# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/101 "2013-05-09T00:15:15Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > How about “took a shit”? In all my life I have never taken a shit. I _leave_ them. Yeah! Funk dat! ---
**Author:** ![jlzania](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jlzania](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jlzania)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/102 "2013-05-09T00:22:08Z")
Yes, yes, yes to hating the word harvest when refering to meat! At the farmer’s market: Nice Young Caring Woman: I would love to learn how you harvest chickens. Me: Process chickens. NYCW: 'Cause I have an older laying hen that needs to be harvested. Me: Killed. NYCW: And I could come to the farm one day when your harvesting. Me: We butcher on these days. And lost. As in we lost granny last week. I always want to ask “Well, have you gone back to look for her?” ---
**Author:** ![Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2013, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/103 "2013-05-09T02:14:30Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > So you don’t use “sacrifice” in any other context? E.g. to you, your mother never made any sacrifices for you, because she never cut out the heart of the neighbor kid on an altar to cure your mild fever? Mine did … > [@MoodIndigo1](#): > > Here I thought people were going to complain about “the ladies’ room” or “the little girls’ room” - but then I recalled that “toilet” started out as an euphemism too, and I’m not rooting for “Females’ Faeces disposal room”. There’s a story about a bunch of Americans in Foreignia on business, and one of them excused himself to go to the “little boys’ room,” whereupon their hosts turned to the other and asked “how long has your colleague been interested in little boys?” ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/104 "2013-05-30T05:29:30Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > While we’re at it can we ban the news-use of “troops”? Six troops didn’t die today - perhaps it was a soldier, a sailor, and four Marines? A troop is a bunch of guys. A troop is a bunch of guys–in the Boy Scouts\*. In the context of of the military, “troop” to mean one individual member of a fighting force has been standard usage for ages. I don’t know for sure that it’s correct for all branches of the service, or if it’s just the army, but it’s not automatically incorrect. \*IIRC in the Scouts the troop was the whole roomful of guys, and your patrol was the column you lined up with. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/105 "2013-05-30T10:25:06Z")
There is a term often used by people on another site that is derogatory about children, and it makes me want to choke the poster. Crotch fruit. I’m glad I have the FoxReplace add on for my browser, and have added that term to the list for that site. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/106 "2013-05-30T15:49:57Z")
“Right to work” law Instead of Union suppression law. ---
**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 30, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/107 "2013-05-30T16:01:55Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > There is a term often used by people on another site that is derogatory about children, and it makes me want to choke the poster. Crotch fruit. I’m glad I have the FoxReplace add on for my browser, and have added that term to the list for that site. OMIGOD. I’ve never heard that expression! :eek: Awful. I’m going to do my best to erase it from my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/108 "2013-05-30T18:31:26Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > “Right to work” law > > Instead of Union suppression law. You mean the No Union Oppression Law. I’ll add “Buttfucker”. No. You are fucking a sphincter and a colon not the butt. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/109 "2013-05-30T18:47:05Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > I am probably too idealistic about this, and I don’t do online dating myself, but ISTM that if you [generic obese-person-composing-dating-site-profile “you”, that is] are looking for somebody who isn’t primarily concerned with physical appearance, you don’t need to say anything about your physical appearance at all. > > If, on the other hand, you are looking for somebody who doesn’t find a big or fat body type unattractive, you need have no qualms about saying that you’re “big” or “fat”. > > If what you’re looking for is somebody who might be interested in you only as long as they don’t realize you’re obese, I think you’re ultimately doomed to disappointment no matter what euphemism you use to describe your physical appearance. Sure, but there are various ways to describe it without outright lying, beating around the bush too much, or saying something accurate, but unflattering like “Gargantuan” “Colossal” or “Morbidly Obese.” Based on my online dating days, there does need to be a standard to describe the various terms- [Match.com](http://Match.com) back in the day had (IIRC), “Normal”, “A Few Extra Lbs” and “Large”. It was all dependent on how the person self-described. I met more than one girl I’d call normal, and who had nice figures, who had described themselves as “A Few Extra Lbs”, and more than one enormous girl who described themselves as either “Normal” or “A Few Extra Lbs.” ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/110 "2013-05-30T21:21:18Z")
I have the stupidest example of the misuse of “hero” ever: here in WA we have (or had a few years ago, I haven’t really noticed lately) signs up with an 800 number to call and report people not wearing their seat belts. It’s 1-800-xxx-HERO. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/111 "2013-05-30T22:21:57Z")
I’m just happy if I can keep people from lying to me. I must have low expectations. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/112 "2013-05-30T23:41:18Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by BigAppleBucky > > “Right to work” law > > > > Instead of Union suppression law. > > You mean the No Union Oppression Law. > > I’ll add “Buttfucker”. > > No. You are fucking a sphincter and a colon not the butt. Ohhhhh - My my my such venom. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/113 "2013-05-31T14:58:33Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Even worse (IMO): “Eight soldiers die in battle…” > > How about “took a shit”? In all my life I have never taken a shit. I _leave_ them. Never had a pet, eh? > [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > You mean the No Union Oppression Law. > > I’ll add “Buttfucker”. > > No. You are fucking a sphincter and a colon not the butt. “Buttfucker” is more an inaccuracy rather than a euphemism - a euphemism sounds nicer or more polite than the word it replaces. Besides, you’re not fucking a butt _or_ a sphincter and colon - you’re fucking a person. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/114 "2013-05-31T15:04:50Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Besides, you’re not fucking a butt _or_ a sphincter and colon - you’re fucking a person. At least, so one _hopes_. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/115 "2013-05-31T18:16:51Z")
I get stabby every time I see the word “guest” used for “customer”. Stores now have “guest services”. Restaurants hand out “guest menus”, etc. A guest is someone you invite, who is entertained or given hospitality by a host. They do not pay for the privilege. Stores do not have “guests”. I don’t know whether this is a misguided attempt to make people think the store cares about you as a person, but it’s annoying and ridiculous. There’s nothing wrong with the word “customer.” It is not a shameful activity to be selling things to people who want to buy them. Stop pretending we are good friends or family. We have a business relationship and there’s nothing wrong with that. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/116 "2013-05-31T21:37:00Z")
I think they’ve been called ‘guests’ in hotels since forever. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/117 "2013-05-31T21:45:36Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > I think they’ve been called ‘guests’ in hotels since forever. Yeah, but at least you’re having a sleepover at the hotel. I’d hate to be called a “guest” at Hobby Lobby. Hmmm, maybe if I set up a cot, got all snuggled in (and asked them for a mint on my pillow) when they referred to me as a guest… ---
**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 31, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/118 "2013-05-31T21:54:05Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > I get stabby every time I see the word “guest” used for “customer”. > > Stores now have “guest services”. Restaurants hand out “guest menus”, etc. A guest is someone you invite, who is entertained or given hospitality by a host. They do not pay for the privilege. Stores do not have “guests”. I don’t know whether this is a misguided attempt to make people think the store cares about you as a person, but it’s annoying and ridiculous. There’s nothing wrong with the word “customer.” It is not a shameful activity to be selling things to people who want to buy them. Stop pretending we are good friends or family. We have a business relationship and there’s nothing wrong with that. A person on privately held property is _by definition_ a guest. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/119 "2013-05-31T22:01:18Z")
> [@jlzania](#): > > And lost. As in we lost granny last week. I always want to ask “Well, have you gone back to look for her?” Once upon a time, I was working in the ER, and overheard the following radio exchange: Rampart General to Rescue 51: “Please give us a status update on your patient.” Rescue 51: “We’ve lost our patient.” Rampart General: “What exactly do you MEAN when you say you have lost your patient?” Rescue 51: “The back door came open, and we LOST him!” OK, so it wasn’t really Julie London, Kevin Tighe, and Randolph Mantooth, but the dialog is otherwise authentic. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612/120 "2013-05-31T22:40:30Z")
‘‘Consumer’’ instead of ‘‘patient.’’ I briefly interned at a partial-hospital psychiatric center and we called the clients ‘‘consumers.’’ I think this originated with Mad Pride / people taking ownership of their mental health care, and that’s cool, but it just sounds terrible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euphemisms-i-hate/657612.md?page=7)