This document discusses euphemisms, which are words or phrases used as a more indirect or less direct way of discussing difficult, embarrassing, or uncomfortable topics. It provides examples of euphemisms used for topics like death, disabilities, jobs, personal attributes, and more. It also discusses how euphemisms are used in legal, dental, and other field-specific contexts.

1. Euphemisms
Euphemisms are typically used to talk about awkward or
uncomfortable subjects.
When might an awkward or uncomfortable subject need to
be discussed by a dental professional?
The idea of DEATH and DYING, for example has many euphemisms:
Pass away, pass on, expire, deceased, perish, meet one's death, meet one's end, be
taken, yield one's breath, resign one's breath, resign one's being, resign one's life, end
one's days, end one's life, breathe one's last, cease to live, cease to breathe, depart this
life, be no more, lose one's life, lay down one's life, relinquish one's life, surrender one's
life, pay the debt to nature, make one's will, step out, die a natural death, come to an
untimely end, catch one's death, kick the bucket, buy the farm, turn up one's toes, six
feet under, pushing up daisies, worm food…
Which of these euphemisms are more formal? Less formal? Which would be
appropriate for a respectful obituary? Which might be used in a distasteful joke?
• Such subjects are often described in great detail in legal
documents and court cases.
Introduction to the
concept
01/05/15

2. Euphemisms
A euphemism is a word or expression that is used when people want to find a
polite or less direct way of talking about difficult or embarrassing topics.
We had our sick dog killed  We had Fido put down/put to sleep.
Fat person  stocky/heavy person  overweight person*
Ugly person  plain person
He is lazy  He is not working to his full potential or He has a
relaxed attitude about his work
She is disruptive  She has difficulty concentrating
He is loud and arrogant  He has strong opinions about everything
and is not afraid to voice them
Poor person  needy, under-privileged, disadvantaged or
economically deprived.
Crippled  handicapped  disabled*
Housewife  domestic engineer
Old person  senior; elderly
Secretary  Administrative assistant
* Note that sometimes
euphemisms are replaced by
further euphemized
words/phrases
General information
and examples
Adapted from: http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/easy/euphem.htm01/05/15

3. Dental Euphemisms
Dental Nomenclature
amalgam
anesthesia
bur
dental caries
dental explorer
topical fluoride
matrix band
prophylaxis paste
radiograph
rubber dam
stainless steel crown
X-ray machine
Euphemisms
silver filling
sleepy water
germ chaser
tooth spots
tooth counter
tooth vitamins
Queen's crown
toothpaste
tooth picture
raincoat
shiny cap
camera
Field-specific activities
01/05/15
Think of language
that might be
used in place of
the following
sensitive words?
Blood
Pus
Pain
Shot
Rotten
Can you
think of
other
examples?
Use some of these euphemisms to role play
professional scenarios.

4. Legal Euphemisms
Protective custody
Internment facility
Pacify
Person of interest
Collateral damage
Substance abuser
Law enforcement officer
Can you think of other examples?
Field-specific activities
01/05/15
Think of language that
might be used in place
of the following
sensitive words?
Blood
Semen
Gun
Kill
Naked
Use some of these euphemisms to role play
professional scenarios.

5. 1a) City Diner is a small restaurant at the edge of town.
Vs.
1b) City Diner is a greasy spoon on the other side of the tracks.
1c) City Diner is a delightful eatery on a cozy tree-lined street.
2a) “From the looks of your mouth, you have not been brushing as I have
instructed you. Why aren’t you taking care of your teeth?”
Vs.
2b) “Your teeth don’t look as clean as they could be. Are you having any
difficulty using the cleaning techniques we talked about last time?
Denotation & Connotation
Look at the sentences below. Discuss the meanings of these utterances.
Introduction to
the concept
Is the message the same in 1a, 1b and 1c? 2a and 2b?
What differs between the sets?01/05/15

6. Denotation & Connotation
Denotation: The dictionary meaning (literal meaning) of a word
Connotation: The emotional or cultural meaning attached to a word
Denotation: A young human being; offspring
Connotation:
Child: young person
Kid: young person (informal)
Youngster: younger than others in a group
Juvenile: not yet reaching maturity
Rug rat: troublesome youth
Consider the words: child, kid, youngster, juvenile & rug rat
How can we learn the denotation of a word?
How can we learn the connotation of a word?
General information
and examples
Decide whether
each word has a
positive, neutral
or negative
connotation.
01/05/15

7. Denotation & Connotation
Decide whether each of these words has a positive, neutral or
negative connotation to the average listener.
Which would be easier for a patient to hear?
“Do you ever spit out blood?” OR “What color is your
saliva?”
Field-specific
structured activities
01/05/15

8. Denotation & Connotation
What impact might come from paying attention to
denotation and connotation in your speaking?
What impact might come from NOT paying attention
to denotation and connotation in your speaking?
What might you gain from paying attention to
denotation and connotation when listening to others?
How might you strengthen your understanding of
word connotation?
Field-specific open-
ended activities
01/05/15

9. Direct vs. Indirect Language
Many American English speakers are quite wary of
being rude so they often default to indirect
language to avoid this.
Examples:
Indirect: I was hoping that you could finish that
project today. It’s really important.
Direct: The project is already late. Why aren’t you
finished yet?
What differences do you note between the indirect and the direct examples?
When would you use direct language?
When would you use indirect language?
Introduction to the
concept
01/05/15

10. When might indirect language be more
appropriate than direct language?
* Criticizing the behavior of others
* Complaining
* Making suggestions
* Self-praise
* Requesting help or favors
Direct vs. Indirect Language
General information
and examples
Lend me the book. Vs. Can I borrow the book?
01/05/15

11. Direct vs. Indirect Language
Direct
1. Where is the explorer?
2. Open your mouth.
3. This will hurt.
4. Sit down.
5.
6. You’re late for your appointment.
7.
Indirect
1. Have you seen the explorer?
2. Could you open up a bit more?
3. You might feel a bit of a pinch.
4.
5. You might want to consider
flossing more frequently.
6.
7. Could you please pass the cheek
retractor?
If you needed the signature of your professor, how would you ask?
If you wanted your roommate to pass you the newspaper, how would you ask?
In what kinds of circumstances would each of the above sentences likely be used?
Field-specific activities
What
structural
and
vocabulary
differences
do you
notice
between
direct and
indirect
language?
01/05/15

12. Culmination Scenario
Role play the following challenging situation
incorporating politeness strategies.
Legal Example
Describe to your colleague a case that you are reading
involving a 400-pound man who fell out of his hospital
bed and didn’t receive any help for 3 hours. When the
staff found him, he was covered in blood and urine. He
was so angry when a nurse finally came, that he hit her
and broke her nose. The hospital called the police and
he’s suing the hospital and the nursing staff.
Field-specific open-
ended activities
01/05/15

13. Communication Evaluation
Field-specific open-
ended activities
Watch the video clip and consider the following:
•Are the professionals communicating in a way that will build
relationships?
• What do you see as positive components of their
communication styles?
• What suggestions might you offer to improve politeness or
appropriateness?
01/05/15
Watch a short segment and revise for increased politeness.
Role play one of the segments or continue the conversation in
a polite tone.