Category Archives: Use of English

100 Politically Correct (PC) Euphemisms

Discover 100 Politically Correct Euphemisms

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100 Politically Correct Euphemisms

Do you speak English (politically) correctly? The politically correct euphemisms below help us to avoid discriminating against other people on the grounds of: a) age, b) appearance, c) gender, d) health, e) personality, f) race, g) relationship status, h) religion, i) social status, and j) work.

Link: [Definition of political correctness]

What are some examples of political correctness? Replacing gender specific words like “ladies and gentlemen” with “everybody” and substituting more impressive job titles like “facility manager” for more basic-sounding positions like “cleaner”.

Can you categorise each phrase? For example: 1. d) There are 5 phrases (in blue) that don’t fit any category. Click the image to enlarge it:

100 Politically Correct (PC) Euphemisms

100 Politically Correct (PC) Euphemisms

DON’T SAY:  –  –  –  >  DO SAY:

  1. able-bodied > non-disabled
  2. actress > actor
  3. Australian Aborigine > Native Australian
  4. bald > follically challenged
  5. barman > bar attendant
  6. bin man > cleanliness technician
  7. black bag > bin bag
  8. black person > Person of Colour
  9. black sheep > pariah
  10. blackboard > chalk board
  11. blacklisted > banned
  12. blind > sight impaired
  13. blind drunk > very drunk
  14. boring > differently interesting
  15. broken home > dysfunctional family
  16. brother / sister > sibling
  17. chairman > chair
  18. Christian name > first name
  19. Christmas > Winter Festival / Winterval
  20. cleaner > facility manager
  21. clumsy > uniquely coordinated
  22. confined to a wheelchair > wheelchair user
  23. dead > passed away / terminally unavailable
  24. deaf > hearing impaired
  25. deforestation > forest management
  26. diabetic > person with diabetes
  27. dinner lady > mealtime supervisor
  28. disease > disorder
  29. drug addict > person with a chemical dependency
  30. drug habit > substance use disorder
  31. English > British / UK citizen
  32. Eskimo > Inuit
  33. fat > overweight / big-boned
  34. fireman > firefighter
  35. forefathers > ancestors / forebears
  36. Frenchman > French person
  37. get the sack > be part of a restructuring
  38. guys > folks
  39. hairdresser > stylist
  40. headmaster / headmistress > director
  41. homeless > residentially flexible
  42. homosexual > same-sex
  43. housewife > homemaker / stay-at-home mum
  44. husband / wife > spouse / significant other
  45. idiot / class clown > behaviourally challenged
  46. illegal alien / illegal > undocumented worker
  47. Indians > Native Americans
  48. job losses > restructuring
  49. junkie > person with a drug dependency
  50. juvenile delinquents > children at risk
  51. ladies and gentlemen > everybody
  52. lost > geographically disorientated
  53. male nurse > nurse
  54. man in the street > average person
  55. man up > be brave
  56. manhole > maintenance hole
  57. mankind > humankind
  58. man-made > synthetic
  59. manpower > workforce
  60. men / women > people
  61. Merry Christmas > Happy Holidays
  62. midget / dwarf > little person
  63. minority group > numerically challenged group
  64. Miss / Mrs > Ms
  65. nut > person with a mental health condition
  66. Oriental > Asian
  67. plastic surgery > cosmetic surgery
  68. policeman > police officer
  69. poor > marginalised
  70. postman / mailman > postal worker / mail carrier
  71. prison cell > custody suite
  72. problem > opportunity / challenge
  73. promiscuous > sexually liberated
  74. prostitute > sex worker
  75. salesman > salesperson
  76. secretary > administrative assistant
  77. sex change > sex reassignment surgery (SRS)
  78. short > vertically challenged
  79. single > flying solo
  80. skinny / thin > (very) slim
  81. slum > economically deprived area
  82. spokesman > spokesperson
  83. sportsmanship > fairness
  84. steward / stewardess > flight attendant
  85. suffers from / victim of… > has… [condition]
  86. tax man > tax officer
  87. the disabled > disabled people
  88. the elderly / old people > senior citizens
  89. Third World > Developing Nations
  90. to lie > to misspeak / be economical with the truth
  91. to man sth > to operate / crew / run sth
  92. ugly > unconventional-looking
  93. unemployed > involuntarily leisured
  94. used (goods) > pre-owned / pre-loved
  95. waiter / waitress > server / waiting staff
  96. warehouse worker > warehouse operative
  97. white European > Caucasian
  98. woman priest > priest
  99. workman > worker
  100. wrong > differently logical

Definition of Euphemism (from Talk a Lot Intermediate Book 1):

A euphemism is a word or phrase that replaces part of a sentence which is considered offensive or taboo – i.e. that cannot be talked about in “polite” conversation.

Example:

Your elderly Aunt Agatha visits your new home. She whispers: “I just need to spend a penny, dear.”

“Spend a penny” is a euphemism for “Go to the toilet”. Therefore, you should show her where the toilet is.

When:

When you can’t mention something directly, but want other people to know that you know about it, e.g. you are aware of a secret. Or, when you want to talk about sex or another taboo subject without mentioning it directly. Similar to Politically Correct (PC) Language (below).

Definition of Politically Correct Euphemisms (from Talk a Lot Intermediate Book 1):

Politically correct language (known as PC language) consists of polite words and phrases that are used to replace potentially derogatory or insulting language, so that we can talk about something negative or controversial without causing offence. There are two kinds of politically correct language:

1. Extreme Politically Correct Language: phrases that we don’t use very often in everyday life,
because they seem too extreme or sound silly.

Example:

“My little Billy isn’t fat, he’s just big-boned.” The aim is to try to see something positive in something negative. But taken to extremes, political correctness can become a bit of a joke, and can lead people to exclaim in frustration: “It’s political correctness gone mad!”

2. Everyday Politically Correct Language: phrases that we do need to use in everyday life, to avoid offending or stigmatising other people, especially people who belong to minority groups.

Example:

“We’re planning a special lunch for senior citizens next week.” [Not for old people.] More respectful or neutral phrases replace blunter, more potentially insensitive, offensive, or alienating language. Politicians, for example, are keen to use inclusive PC language, which comes across as inclusive to as many people as possible. Another example of required politically correct language is the use of gender neutral terms, e.g. “police officer” rather than “policeman”, to reflect changes in our workforce and culture.

When:

When you don’t want to cause offence to anybody who belongs to a minority group. Or when you want to draw attention to something in a humorous or ironic way, e.g. “Tom hasn’t got a big nose. No. If anything, he is nasally gifted!”


Answers may vary. Suggested answers:

100 Politically Correct (PC) Euphemisms - Quiz Answers

100 Politically Correct (PC) Euphemisms – Quiz Answers


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How to Say No in English – 20 Words and Phrases

How to Say Yes in English – 20 Words and Phrases


How to Say No in English – 20 Words and Phrases

Find out how to say “No”  in English, then discuss these words and phrases:

How to Say No in English - 20 Words and Phrases

How to Say No in English – 20 Words and Phrases

Standard:

No

 

Strong:

On no account

No way

Impossible

 

Very strong:

It’s completely out of the question

There’s no way on Earth

Never in a million years

 

Apologetic:

I would if I could, but I can’t

Sorry

 

Informal:

Forget it

Nope

No can do

Nah

Not likely

 

Polite:

No thanks

I’m afraid not

 

Annoyed:

Of course not

 

Without words:

*Shaking head*

 

No, without saying no:

I’ll let you know

Not at the moment

 

Image: https://www.canva.com/


This material is completely free to use, so please feel free to share it widely!

If you have any feedback about these free resources, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment or review below or on Facebook or Twitter.