Interesting Euphemisms

[Blaze]

Having digressed on RA's "Snow in Paris" topic, I wondered if others used such euphemisms. Or perhaps today people don't bother and go straight to the point.

Having covered a petticoat/slip showing, I also remembered what was (still is ?) said when a man's flies were undone. I remember 2 expressions :
* Flags are at half mast
* It's half past six in China

[demi]

The other one for undone flies was/is:

"There's a star in the East".

[RobertArthur]

Disgressing a little bit and changing course in another direction, to the subtleties of international meeting language. Masters of the château: the French diplomats. A well-earned second place for the Brits. What about: "I've listened with great interest to the propositions brought forward by the delegation of XYZ and discuss them with the competent authorities in my capital". Depending on the context, this can mean two things: either that you take it seriously, or that you will be happy to throw it in the bin when you return.

[Blaze]

Ah, RA, you're now getting into "diplomatic speak" which is full of euphemisms. A bit like the late Queen's "How interesting" reply to something that ws clearly anything but !

[Pathca]

Pissed on his /her chips. Spoilt something good through their own behaviour

[RobertArthur]

@ Blaze, could it be that you were once invited to Buckingham Palace...?

[Blaze]

Today's obsession not to offend anyone (nice way of saying over-politically correct !) has produced these. Unfortunately some of these euphemisms are actually offensive to those to whom they refer (see below).

Vertically challenged - short
Horizontally challenged - fat
Non-reflective - black
Pre-owned (yuk, I hate this one !) - second hand
Duplicity - lying (Churchill used the term "terminological inexactitude"
Visually impaired - blind. Blind people say they're blind, is sighted people that have the problem.
Special needs - disabled. Disabled people hate the euphemisms just like deaf and blind people.

[exile]

Under tall - over weight

[ajm]

The other one for undone flies was/is:

"There's a star in the East".

Dead birds can't fly the nest

[Blaze]

"There's a star in the East".

Oooh, I'd forgotten that one !