Interesting Euphemisms

[ajm]

It's the way you tell 'em. A Russian loses a golf match to an American. In the post match interview he was asked how it was. He said it was OK ,I came second and the American came next to last.

[Pathca]

Before it went online we used to ask the porters to do a transfer to Rose Cottage when we wanted someone taken to the mortuary

[RobertArthur]

Vague language is right up politicians' alley. Every now and then, following the German press, I wondered what they were actually talking about. Had I missed something? Back to school? Or is there something wrong with my memory? Perhaps I should have it tested by professionals who usually wear white coats?

Fortunately, early this morning I was given the answer to that question which was beginning to make me wonder whether I was really losing touch with reality: a prize has been awarded for the “Unwort” or “Unword” of the year 2025 in the German language: ' Sondervermögen ' (special fund). A discussion that is somewhat reminiscent of what is being called for in France in relation to the government: ‘Il faut débloquer les fonds’ (The funds must be released), as if the President had a money tree growing in the back garden of the Élysée Palace.

The jury's considerations were as follows: ‘Special fund’ appeared particularly frequently in public political discourse last year. According to the jury, the term ‘very clearly shaped the political debates on government debt and investment programmes’. This is precisely what is problematic. The word sounds like additional money or reserves, but in the jury's view, it obscures the real core issue – new debt for the state.

It's very grey outside, but news like this makes you breathe a sigh of relief: there is still sunshine behind the clouds.

[Blaze]

@Robert Arthur - I always smile at the French expression "enveloppe". There seem to be envelopes stuffed with money kept in the Treasury for handing round !

[RobertArthur]

@ Blaze, what surprised me last Sunday was the language used by a well-respected company such as Marconi in 1941: could you use such a shocking statement as “useless” today without having your good name torn to shreds by hungry social media wolves? How could you describe it in a more veiled way for sensitive souls? I'm still searching, but the fog around us makes it a bit difficult today. Does anyone have a suitable description? Please, help me, before it's too late...To summarise this question briefly in terms of the Morse code alphabet: SMS (Save My Soul), ... _ _ ...

[Blaze]

That is brilliant, RA ! I love "useless"n it says it all. "Inoperable" was perhaps thought to be too literate for some !!

[Sparkle]

Dad used to send me up the wooden alley

[exile]

Land of Nod
4 sheets to the wind
Brahms and Liszt
Away with the fairies
Out for the count

[L Austin France]

Dad used to send me up the wooden alley

In our house it was 'up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire'

[Blaze]

4 sheets to the wind

We've always said 3 sheets !!! Depends on the boat