Euphemisms are vague expressions we use to replace something blunt and direct. For example, instead of saying that someone was “fired” (blunt and direct), we might say that the person was “laid off” (vague and indirect). There are many euphemisms that we use in the workplace. Review the list of euphemisms below and then try the practice exercise.

Euphemisms we use at work

rich: wealthy, well-to-do, well-off
poor: economically disadvantaged, needy, in need
unemployed: out of work, between jobs
to fire: to lay off, to let (someone) go, to terminate, to downsize, to restructure
to quit: to resign, to leave the company
pay: salary, compensation, compensation plan
boss: supervisor, manager
secretary: administrative assistant, personal assistant
janitor/custodian: maintenance worker
fat: heavyset
elderly/old person: senior citizen, senior, pensioner, retiree
problem: issue
worried: concerned
used: pre-owned
lie: fabrication
to lie: to fabricate
poor country/third-world country: developing country
illegal workers/illegal immigrants: undocumented workers
to owe money: to have an outstanding payment
cheap (person): frugal, thrifty
bathroom: restroom

Make the sentences less direct by replacing the words in bold with a euphemism.

1. I have a coworker who comes from a rich family.

2. Let me talk this over with my boss and I’ll get back to you.

3. John quit. His last day was Tuesday.

4. Which one is Kevin?
He’s the fat guy in the orange shirt.

5. Unfortunately, my brother doesn’t have a job.

6. Margaret is on bereavement leave for a few days. Her cousin died last night.

7. This Christmas, my coworkers and I are buying presents for poor kids.

8. I’ll be right there. Just let me go to the bathroom first.

9. Did you hear that management has fired some people?

10. We’re looking to hire a new secretary for our vice president.

11. Many very old people are upset about their pensions.

12. We employ two full-time janitors.

13. What he said about me is a total lie.

14. We can cut costs by moving our manufacturing facilities to a poor country.

15. There is a problem with the functionality of the software.

16. This is out of my price range. Maybe we should consider buying a used car.

17. He’s cheap and doesn’t like to spend money on things he doesn’t need.

18. Many illegal immigrants are employed in this industry.

19. You owe us money.

20. We’re worried that it might be an expensive solution.

Write Euphemisms for the following words :

accident
addict
arrest
bombing
break-in
cheap
confinement
criminal
crippled
dead 
death penalty
death
die
drugs
drunk
fail
false
fat
fire
garbage collector
garbage dump
genocide
illegal worker
imprisoned

jail
kill 
killing of innocents
lawyer
lazy
lie
money
mortuary
murder
noisy
office equipment
old
old age
old person
old persons’ home
person
sweat 
police officer 
poor nation 
poor student
poor
power failure
prison 
prisoner

‘Translate’ the following sentences into clear, ‘straightforward’ English.
 His grandfather passed away.
 My father is between jobs but has two interviews today.
 The sales associate answered in the affirmative when the judge asked him if he
 had ever been incarcerated.
 The manager complained to his administrative assistant of inventory shrinkage.
 Our son is a special child.
 Dan’s supervisor laid him off because he was unmotivated.
 The correctional facility has 220 inmates, five of whom are facing capital
 punishment.

Match the words with euphemisms.

1. accident                     a) security breach
2. addiction                   b) response from
3. bombing                   c) incident
4. break-in                    d) life insurance
5. complaint from         e) chemical dependency
6. death insurance        f) capital punishment
7. death penalty           g) body count
8. deaths                      h) air support

Which is the ordinary word, which is the euphemism?

1. to fire – to downsize
2. intoxicated – drunk
3. sanitation person – garbage collector
4. genocide – ethnic cleansing
5. informer – confidential source
6. lazy – unmotivated
7. inaccuracy – lie
8. funds – money
9. ugly – unattractive
10.lingerie – underwear

Read the euphemisms. What is the more straightforward way of
expressing the same?

1. golden years
2. individual
3. low-income
4. issue, challenge, complication
5. mentally challenged
6. administrative assistant
7. indisposed
8. source of information

 Find euphemisms in the following sentences. What do they mean?

1. Are there any public conveniences nearby?
2. Steve is between jobs at the moment.
3. She was in the family way so they got married.
4. The newspaper said the president said the president was tired and
emotional.
2
5. The boss is known for being economical with the truth.
6. I’m afraid I can’t come to the restaurant with you. I am financially
embarrassed.