In writing and journalism studies, instructors reminded me often to avoid euphemisms. These are words designed to make things that aren’t so great sound better than they are — in essence a form of deception or, at best, obfuscation.
Some examples? Saying “pre-owned” car when we mean “used.” Calling torture “enhanced interrogation.” Saying someone is “between jobs” instead of “laid off” or “fired.” Substituting “shading the truth” for “lying.”
Sometimes, of course, euphemisms are fine. For example, it can be socially beneficial to soften language so as to avoid being overly blunt. But in general, if we want to communicate clearly,
