Word of the Day

: January 15, 2022

euphemism

noun YOO-fuh-miz-um

What It Means

A euphemism is an agreeable or inoffensive word or phrase that is used instead of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant.

// The euphemism "passed on" is often used to communicate the unpleasant news that someone has "died."

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euphemism in Context

"We are constantly reminded that pests (a euphemism for rats and racoons) feed off food scraps in unsecured trash cans." — The Brookline (Massachusetts) TAB, 9 Dec. 2021

Did You Know?

Euphemism comes from Greek eúphēmos, which means "uttering sounds of good omen," "fair-sounding," or "auspicious." The first part of that root is the prefix eu-, meaning "good."  The second part is phēmos, a Greek word for "speech."