Euphemisms | English Vocabulary

Euphemisms are often used in speech to gloss over unpleasant facts. When writing it is better to be more direct.

In the examples given below, euphemisms are written in bold letters. All these sentences can be rewritten using another word instead of the euphemism.

Old Tom is pushing up the daisies. (Old Tom is dead.)

The boy next door is a little careless of the truth. (The boy next door is a liar.)

Aunt Martha has become hard of hearing lately. (Aunt Martha has become deaf lately.)

The boys like to bend the elbow after playing rugby. (The boys like to drink after playing rugby.)

My uncle was under the weather when he came home. (My uncle was drunk when he came home.)

My grandmother passed away last week. (My grandmother died last week.)

My father is becoming thin on top. (My father is becoming bald.)

The woman next door has just had a visit from the stork. (The woman next door has just had a baby.)

Linda has become overweight because she eats too much. (Linda has become fat because she eats too much.)