M-W Word of the Day: Euphemism -- "Saying that a politician 'spins' is a euphemism."

Euphemism noun


eu·​phe·​mism | \ ˈyü-fə-ˌmi-zəm


Saying that a politician 'spins' instead of 'lies' is a euphemism.


Essential Meaning of euphemism


: a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive


using "eliminate" as a euphemism for "kill"


Full Definition of euphemism


: the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant


Other Words from euphemism


euphemist \ ˈyü- fə- mist


\ noun

euphemistic \ ˌyü- fə- ˈmi- stik


\ adjective

euphemistically \ ˌyü- fə- ˈmi- sti- k(ə- )lē


\ adverb


Did you know?


Euphemism comes from Greek eúphēmos, which means "uttering sounds of good omen," "fair-sounding," or "auspicious." The first part of that root is the prefix eu-, meaning "good."  The second part is phēmos, a Greek word for "speech."


How and Why We Use Euphemisms


Euphemisms can take different forms, but they all involve substituting a word or phrase considered to be less offensive than another. The substituted word might, for example, be viewed as a less coarse choice, as when dang or darn is used instead of damn or damned. 


Or it might replace a word viewed as insulting to a religious figure, such as the various euphemisms for God (gad, gadzooks, gosh) or Jesus (gee, jeepers, jeez). 


A euphemism may also consist of an indirect softening phrase that is substituted for the straightforward naming of something unpalatable. 


Thus, we hear of people being “let go” rather than “fired”; civilians killed in war described as “collateral damage”; or someone who has died having “kicked the bucket,” “passed away, “given up the ghost,” or “joined one’s ancestors.”


Examples of euphemism in a Sentence


Cougar is the euphemism for a woman who has reached mid-life, who is single, financially secure and on the lookout for relationships with younger men—as in "prey."


— Kerry Gold, Vancouver Sun, 17 Feb. 2001


Spin is sometimes dismissed as a simple euphemism for lying. But it's actually something more insidious: indifference to the truth.


— Michael Kinsley, Time, 25 Dec. 2000–1 Jan. 2001


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