A part of series on English grammar...
EUPHEMISM
Euphemism is a term given to an expression that is a milder, more pleasant, less direct way of saying something that might be thought to be too harsh or direct.
English has a great many euphemisms, many of these referring to certain areas of life.
Euphemisms range from the high-flown, to the coy, to slang. Some examples of euphemisms and of the area in which they tend to occur are listed below:
Euphemisms for ‘old’ –
getting on a bit, in the sunset years, of advanced years, in the twilight years
Euphemisms for ‘suicide’ –
do away with oneself, end it all, take one’s own life
Euphemisms for ‘to dismiss’ –
declare redundant, deselect, dispense with services, let go
Euphemisms for ‘drunk’ –
tipsy, legless, well-oiled, half-cut, feeling no pain
Euphemisms for ‘naked’ –
in a state of nature, in one’s birthday suit, starkers, without a stitch
Euphemism for ‘pregnant’ –
expecting, in the family way, awaiting the platter of tiny feet
Euphemisms for ‘to have sexual intercourse’ –
do it, go to bed with, make love, make out
Euphemisms for ‘sexual intercourse’ –
intimacy, roll in the hay, rumpy pumpy
Euphemisms for ‘to go to the toilet’ –
answer the call of the nature, freshen up, go somewhere,
