It explains the "euphemism treadmill," where a new, polite word eventually becomes "tainted" by the reality it describes and must be replaced by a newer, even more sterile term.
The dictionary tackles "The Big Three" of euphemisms: death, sex, and bodily functions. However, it is equally strong on modern domains like bureaucracy, war, and political correctness. Notable Features
The book is exceptionally well-indexed, allowing you to follow a trail of related terms (e.g., from "perspiration" to "sweat"). A DICTIONARY Euphemisms ^Other Doubletalk
Rawson explores the evolution of "doubletalk"—words and phrases designed to make the bad seem good or the taboo seem acceptable. The book is organized alphabetically and covers a vast range of human experience, categorized into two main types:
The author maintains a dry, scholarly humor throughout. He treats the human tendency toward obfuscation as both a necessary social lubricant and a dangerous tool for political manipulation. It explains the "euphemism treadmill," where a new,
Rawson often highlights how the length of a euphemism is usually proportional to the severity of the truth it hides.
These inflate the status of something humble (e.g., calling a janitor a "sanitary engineer"). He treats the human tendency toward obfuscation as
Rawson doesn't just define terms; he traces their origins. You’ll learn how Victorian-era modesty turned "legs" into "limbs" and how corporate "restructuring" became a standard mask for mass layoffs.