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How to express an action in polite way - euphemism

Euphoric Euphemisms! What are they? Well, quite simply they are ways to express an action or event without actually saying it but rather by saying something that represents it. Huh? Ok, let’s say you die. That’s right, we all die. It happens to all of us. You can work out, eat healthy, never smoke, never drink, and in 80 or 90 years…you’ll still die. Bummer, right? Well, depends on how you look at it.

Euphemisms in Western culture are often used to take serious events like death, and make them a little less serious, and sometimes even humorous. One of the most common events to have many euphemisms is death. Here are some of the most common euphemisms for one of life’s most serious events, along with some explanations and examples.

A :) means it is funny, and should never be used if it would offend the listener/reader.

A :( means that it is a very respectful way to refer to someone’s death and is appropriate to use if someone is mourning and hurting emotionally.
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Kick the bucket. “My father was 80 when he kicked the bucket last year.” :)

Bought the farm. “I told John to skydive with a good parachute, but no, he didn’t listen, and he bought the farm because of it!” :)

Took a dirt nap. “John’s taking a dirt nap now.” :)

Became life challenged. “John became life challenged.” :)

Went belly up. “John and his business went belly up when he died.” :)

Checked out. “John’s checked out of the life hotel now.” :)

Was bumped off. “Johnny Tapia was bumped off during the last episode of The Sopranos.” :) (this one is only used when someone was murdered)

Cashed in the chips. “John cashed in his chips.” :)

Sprouted wings. “John sprouted wings last fall.” :)

Wacked. “The Godfather had a lot of people wacked.” :) (again, usually used with a mafia/mob connection to killing)

Crossed the River Styx. “His grandma crossed the River Styx in December.” :)

Is at room temperature. “I’m so glad John’s at room temperature now. He worked so hard, maybe now he can get some rest.” :)

Shuffled off the mortal coil. “John shuffled off the mortal coil that morning he went skydiving.” :)

Went to the happy hunting ground. “John went to (has gone to) the happy hunting ground.” :)

Living impaired. “John’s now living impaired.” :)

No longer with us. “My grandfather is no longer with us. God rest his soul.” :(

Passed away. “My grandfather passed away this year. I really miss him.” :(

 

source: English now