Introducing Euphemisms: Saying Negative Things in a Positive Way
Has a student ever asked about the difference between "bathroom" and "restroom"? If so, how did you respond?
Restroom, of course, is a euphemism, a word used in place of another that may be considered too direct, unpleasant or uncomfortable.
For students who are comfortable expressing themselves with standard vocabulary words, learning common euphemisms is the next step to natural-sounding English. We've listed some common examples you can share in your next lesson.
Cheap >> Inexpensive
"Cheap" often has a negative nuance. In addition to a low price, it can also imply that something is of low quality. A better-sounding alternative is "inexpensive."
This hotel is inexpensive, but it offers good value with an excellent location.
Stingy >> Frugal
Did your students know that cheap can also describe stingy people? Neither of those words make the person in question sound particularly good, however. "Frugal" is a much kinder choice.
Cooking his own meals at home is one way Ken keeps his lifestyle frugal.
You can also introduce the adverb form "frugally."
Carol decorated her apartment very frugally, but it still looks great.
Old (people) >> Elderly / Senior Citizen
When talking about people, "old" is generally considered too blunt. More respectful is "elderly" along with the nouns "elder" and "senior citizen."
This is a care home for the elderly.
I saw him speaking with an elderly woman with a cane.
My uncle is pretty active for a senior citizen.
Old (things) >> Vintage / Classic
What about old objects instead of people? Recommend "vintage" or "classic."
The flea market has a lot of vintage items that are difficult to find anywhere else.
Lots of classic cars were parked in the large garage.
Students should know that people often use these alternatives sarcastically, so they should listen to the speaker's tone carefully.
His closet was full of lots of … vintage clothes.
Used >> Pre-owned / Pre-loved
Vintage can also describe used items, of course. Other choices include "pre-owned" and even "pre-loved," which is more casual.
I have a pre-owned car for sale if you're interested.
Visit our store to browse lots of pre-loved items looking for a new home!
Weird >> Eccentric / Unique
"Weird" is quite blunt and often carries a negative nuance. To describe something that is not typical in more positive language, we have "eccentric" and "unique."
Explain that the former is best for people and things related to them, such as fashion or tastes. Unique can be used more broadly.
My neighbor is pretty eccentric. His style and taste in music are very different from anyone else I know.
Jake
What did you think of the art exhibition?
Leanna
It was pretty unique. I've never seen anything like it before.
Rich >> Comfortable / Well-off
"Rich" is not exactly a negative word; having a lot of money is generally a very positive thing!
Still, money can be a sensitive topic, and many people prefer to be a bit vague when discussing it. For such situations, students should know "comfortable" and "well-off."
Comfortable isn't exactly the same as rich, but it does imply that someone has no worries related to money.
Gina
Does your job pay you a high salary?
Tanya
Well, let's just say that I'm comfortable.
She never talks about how much she makes, but it's obvious from her clothes and house that she's well-off.
Poor >> Low-income / Underprivileged
"Poor," of course, is definitely not a positive term. It is often switched for "low-income" or "underprivileged."
The increase of the national minimum wage was great news for low-income workers around the country.
Despite coming from an underprivileged family, he was able to become a big success.
Die >> Pass away
Just like money, death is also a very uncomfortable topic. "Pass away" is generally agreed upon as being the preferred way to say "die."
My grandmother passed away when I was very young.
Small >> Cozy
"Cozy" is a particularly useful word, as it can express smallness in a positive way as well as the general feeling of a comfortable environment.
Jenny's decoration skills turned a tiny room into a cozy place to relax.
The local cafe is a cozy place where people in the neighborhood like to gather and talk.
Damage >> Imperfections
Stores and salesmen naturally want to make damage sound less negative to customers. As a result, products with scratches, dents, etc. are often described as having "imperfections."
Because of the item's imperfections, we can offer you a nice discount.
Plain >> Simple / Understated
Even though "plain" is actually a neutral word, its nuance can include "boring" or "unexciting."
Students can skillfully avoid these nuances by using "simple" or "understated" instead.
The hotel rooms were simple and inexpensive.
Grace has a very understated sense of style. She likes simple, comfortable clothes.
Wrap-up
While basic communication is the goal for lower-level students, those who are intermediate and above should strive to be articulate and thoughtful in their word choice. Learning euphemisms such as the examples introduced here gives them more tools to navigate troublesome topics with ease.
