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Respect Trivia Quiz
Euphemisms are a great way to say what you mean whilst maintain respect for the subject matter at hand. How many of these euphemisms have you used before?
A perfect example of a euphemism, to 'lose one's lunch' suggests that you have simply misplaced your midday meal. Unfortunately something far more unpleasant is in store and you'd better get to a bathroom quickly! Despite the use of the word 'lunch', vomiting at any time of the day can be referred to as 'losing one's lunch'.
There are many words that are used to replace 'vomit', including 'hurl', 'barf' and 'puke'.
2. Between jobs
Answer: Unemployed
The phrasing of 'between jobs' definitely implies that whilst you may no longer have your previous job, you are certainly on your way to your next job. However, this is not necessarily true, and it is not possible to gauge how long someone has been unemployed when they are 'between jobs'.
3. In the family way
Answer: Pregnant
'In the family way' does sound significantly more respectful than some of the other more jarring slang used to denote pregnancy, such as 'knocked up' or 'in trouble'. However, it is not always used with respect, and is sometime's used sarcastically to describe a woman who is pregnant but not married.
The phrase 'in the family way' used to mean what it says, namely that something was being done as a family.
4. Passed on
Answer: Died
There are so many different ways to euphemise death, from the less respectful ('kick the bucket', 'pushing up daisies' etc.) to those that seem more polite ('passed away', 'eternal rest' and so on). To 'pass on' makes death seem more positive, as it suggests a transition to another place beyond our own.
5. Big-boned
Answer: Overweight
Despite the fact that some people do of course have larger, heavier skeletons than others (you can see I'm getting my excuses in early!), the expression 'big-boned' is typically used euphemistically to describe someone who is overweight. Other ways to say 'overweight' without actually saying it include 'full figured' and 'portly'.
6. Let go
Answer: Fired
If you were 'let go' from your job, it means that you were fired from your position. The clever thing about this euphemism is that it makes it sound like you made the choice to leave because you were allowed to go, whereas in actual fact the company forced you out.
7. Be economical with the truth
Answer: Lie
If something is used economically, then it is being used sparingly or in small amounts. Therefore if someone is being 'economical with the truth' then they are only giving you a small amount of the truth, i.e. they are lying. The use of the phrase can be traced back to the statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke at the end of the 18th Century.
8. In reduced circumstances
Answer: Bankrupt
The phrase 'in reduced circumstances', does literally mean moving from a position of higher wealth to a position of lower wealth. However, it is generally used as a euphemism to refer to the specific situation of falling from grace into a state of bankruptcy.
9. Spend a penny
Answer: Urinate
Whilst there are countless euphemisms to used to describe the functions of the human body, 'spend a penny' is particularly notable for its origin. In Victorian England, coin-operated locks were fitted onto public toilets to charge people to use the loo. However, this operation unfairly targeted women as urinals were free of charge.
10. Getting on
Answer: Old
If someone is described as 'getting on', they are not making friends with new people, but are in fact just someone reaching an advanced age of life. Other phrases that can be used to refer respectfully to older people include 'senior citizens' and 'elderly'.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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