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Questions and Answers
What does the euphemism 'over the hill' imply about a person?
What does the euphemism 'over the hill' imply about a person?
- They are wealthy and well-off.
- They are dishonest and untrustworthy.
- They are old and possibly forgetful. (correct)
- They are young and energetic.
How is the term 'better half' commonly used?
How is the term 'better half' commonly used?
- To refer to one's superior at work.
- To describe a spouse or partner. (correct)
- To express financial partnership.
- To indicate a friendship.
What does 'hearing impaired' mean?
What does 'hearing impaired' mean?
- The person hears but struggles with concentration.
- The person has excellent hearing ability.
- The person cannot speak.
- The person cannot hear. (correct)
What does the term 'hard of hearing' refer to?
What does the term 'hard of hearing' refer to?
In what context is 'downsizing' typically used?
In what context is 'downsizing' typically used?
What does the euphemism 'early retirement' suggest?
What does the euphemism 'early retirement' suggest?
What does the expression 'the birds and the bees' refer to in conversations?
What does the expression 'the birds and the bees' refer to in conversations?
Why might someone use euphemisms?
Why might someone use euphemisms?
Which term is used to indicate a sexual relationship with someone?
Which term is used to indicate a sexual relationship with someone?
Which of the following is an example of a euphemism for being old?
Which of the following is an example of a euphemism for being old?
What does the euphemism 'she is expecting' imply?
What does the euphemism 'she is expecting' imply?
What is a more polite term for someone who cannot hear?
What is a more polite term for someone who cannot hear?
How is the euphemism 'the better half' perceived?
How is the euphemism 'the better half' perceived?
How is the phrase 'bun in the oven' colloquially used?
How is the phrase 'bun in the oven' colloquially used?
What does 'downsizing' imply about a business's workforce?
What does 'downsizing' imply about a business's workforce?
What does the euphemism 'to put down' typically refer to?
What does the euphemism 'to put down' typically refer to?
When someone says 'they are in a better place,' what does it usually mean?
When someone says 'they are in a better place,' what does it usually mean?
What implication does saying someone is 'hearing impaired' carry?
What implication does saying someone is 'hearing impaired' carry?
Why is 'over the hill' considered a euphemism?
Why is 'over the hill' considered a euphemism?
What does the term 'carnal knowledge' typically imply in legal contexts?
What does the term 'carnal knowledge' typically imply in legal contexts?
In what way could the term 'early retirement' be misleading?
In what way could the term 'early retirement' be misleading?
Why might adults prefer using euphemisms like 'the birds and the bees' when discussing certain topics?
Why might adults prefer using euphemisms like 'the birds and the bees' when discussing certain topics?
What does the phrase 'expecting a baby' suggest about a person's situation?
What does the phrase 'expecting a baby' suggest about a person's situation?
In what context might the euphemism 'they passed away' be used?
In what context might the euphemism 'they passed away' be used?
What might cause someone to use the phrase 'put to sleep' in relation to pets?
What might cause someone to use the phrase 'put to sleep' in relation to pets?
What is a potential outcome of discussing euphemisms like 'the birds and the bees' with children?
What is a potential outcome of discussing euphemisms like 'the birds and the bees' with children?
What does 'better place' imply about the beliefs of those who use the phrase?
What does 'better place' imply about the beliefs of those who use the phrase?
What might be the reason for using the phrase 'a bun in the oven' among friends?
What might be the reason for using the phrase 'a bun in the oven' among friends?
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Study Notes
Euphemisms: Polite Substitutions
- Euphemism: A polite expression used in place of a direct, potentially offensive or embarrassing phrase.
- Purpose: To soften language, sound more polite, and sometimes create humor.
Describing People
- "Over the hill": Refers to an elderly person in a more pleasant way than directly saying "old."
- "Better half": A compliment used by married individuals to refer to their spouse, implying the spouse is superior or better.
- "Hearing impaired": A politically correct way of saying someone is deaf.
- "Hard of hearing": Describes someone with significant hearing loss, but not deaf.
Business
- "Downsizing": A euphemism for reducing a company's workforce by laying off employees.
- "Early retirement": A way to describe someone who has been fired, particularly if they are of retirement age.
Sex and Pregnancy
- "The birds and the bees": A lighthearted way to teach children about sexual intercourse.
- "Carnal knowledge": A formal way of describing sexual relations, especially used in legal contexts.
- "Expecting": A polite way to say a woman is pregnant.
- "Bun in the oven": An informal and humorous expression for pregnancy.
Death
- "Put down": A euphemism for euthanizing an animal, usually a pet in poor health.
- "In a better place": A way to refer to someone who has died, suggesting they have gone to a happier afterlife.
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