euphemism
noun
[ ˈjuːfəmɪz(ə)m ]
• a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
• "the jargon has given us ‘downsizing’ as a euphemism for cuts"
Similar:
polite term,
substitute,
mild alternative,
indirect term,
understatement,
underplaying,
softening,
politeness,
genteelism,
coy term,
Origin:
late 16th century: from Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein ‘use auspicious words’, from eu ‘well’ + phēmē ‘speaking’.
