What is a word that means to say in a positive sense? For instance, when writers say that a person was sexually assaulted instead of saying raped.
Or people use let go instead of fired.
What is that called?
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2I don't think sexually assaulted is particularly positive. – Kit Z. Fox Jul 20 '12 at 13:42
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Related: What term describes a non-offensive substitute for a swear word? – RegDwigнt Jul 20 '12 at 13:44
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Also, 'sexually assaulted' covers more than just 'raped'. – Mitch Jul 20 '12 at 13:47
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I think these words/phrases soften the thrust/intent of the original. As the others have mentioned, sexual assault does not fall in this category. In any event, assault is a pretty strong word; there's no couching there. – coleopterist Jul 20 '12 at 14:26
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@KitFox That depends who's doing it. – Jay Jul 20 '12 at 16:43
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@KitFox: That's putting it mildly! I can't imagine how OP could think sexually assaulted was somehow a "euphemistic" version of raped. – FumbleFingers Jul 20 '12 at 18:19
3 Answers
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Such a usage is called a Euphemism.
"A figure of rhetoric by which an unpleasant or offensive thing is described or referred to by a milder term" (Chambers)
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A euphemism.
(Note, though, that sexual assault is a crime distinct from rape.)
crisis.sheep
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1In most jurisdictions, "sexual assault" is the catch-all, ranging from a Roman Butt-Pinch to the most brutal instances of what we used to call "rape". "Aggravated sexual assault" covers the more severe end of the spectrum. – Chris Cudmore Jul 20 '12 at 14:00
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Well, it irks me when the media uses this euphemism when writing about a rape. We as a cultured have become too sensitized. Also, this is the ugliest of acts, which people, if not careful, can confuse a situation as being, "not as bad" when they read about it through the use of euphemisms. – Marty Jul 20 '12 at 14:52
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I Thank all of you for the reminder. I always forget that word. I agree with everything everyone has said. – Marty Jul 20 '12 at 14:55
