LEARN 10 EUPHEMISMS IN 3 STEPS

Pantalones, Bolsillo, Nota, Llave, Trabajo, BuscarSaying that you are between jobs sends a more positive image of your current situation than saying that you are unemployed. This is the purpose of euphemism, to soften the message you are communicating by using language that sounds less unpleasant, uncomfortable or embarrassing than the reality. 

In this post we are going to learn 10 commonly used euphemisms in three steps. You will need pen a paper or you can print the pdf provided.


STEP 1 – Guess the meaning

Read the following sentences and try to figure out what they mean. Write them down and correct at the end with the key provided.

  1. Employer to employee: “We are going to have to let you go.” 
  2. A dog owner: “My dog is trained to do his business on the grass, never on the pavement.”
  3. A car dealer to a potential customer: “If you can’t afford to buy a new car, why don’t you have a look at our pre-enjoyed vehicles?”
  4. A girl in a pub, restaurant: “I have to go to the ladies.” A man: “I’m going to spend a penny.”
  5. Someone commenting on another person’s description of a situation. “He is being economical with the truth.”
  6. For example, in a newspaper: “These flats have been built for the economically disadvantaged.”
  7. Talking about somebody else: “Have you met the new neighbour? I think he’s not all there.”
  8. Somebody tells you: “This restaurant is very popular with senior citizens in this area.” 
  9. A pet owner: “He was sufferering too much so the vet advised us to put him to sleep.”
  10. A mum talking to his child who needs the toilet: “Is it a number one or a number two?”

STEP 2 – Match

  1. Old people:
  2. Poor:
  3. Pee or poo:
  4. Fire:
  5. Go to the toilet:
  6. Strange, stupid or a bit crazy:
  7. Not telling the truth, lying:
  8. Poo (for a dog):
  9. Second-hand:
  10. Euthanise him, put him down:

Click here for the key

STEP 3 – Can you remember the original euphemism?

  1. Employer to employee: “We are going to fire you.” 
  2. A dog owner: “My dog is trained to poo on the grass, never on the pavement.” 
  3. A car dealer to a potential customer: “If you can’t afford a new car, why don’t you have a look at our second-hand vehicles?”
  4. A girl in a pub, restaurant: “I have to go to the loo/toilet.” A man: “I’m going to the loo/toilet.”
  5. Someone commenting on another person’s recount of things. “He is lying/not telling the truth.”
  6. For example, in a newspaper: “These flats have been built for the poor.”
  7. Talking about somebody else: “Have you met the new neighbour? I think he’s strange/a bit crazy.”
  8. Somebody tells you: “This restaurant is very popular with elderly people in this area.” 
  9. A pet owner: “He was sufferering too much so the vet advised us to put him down.”
  10. A mum talking to his child who needs the toilet: “Is it pee or poo?”

Click here for the key.

Pdf document: LEARN 10 EUPHEMISMS IN 3 STEPS.