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Euphemism and Doublespeak Worksheet

This document provides examples of euphemisms and doublespeak used in various contexts such as by the military, in politics, and in society to be politically correct. Euphemisms are indirect terms that replace more direct terms that may be considered too harsh or blunt. Doublespeak uses ambiguous language to obscure the true meaning of what is being said. The document lists euphemisms and their intended meanings in various contexts to illustrate how language can be used to soften or obscure potentially negative connotations through word choice and phrasing.

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Kristina Laova
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2K views2 pages

Euphemism and Doublespeak Worksheet

This document provides examples of euphemisms and doublespeak used in various contexts such as by the military, in politics, and in society to be politically correct. Euphemisms are indirect terms that replace more direct terms that may be considered too harsh or blunt. Doublespeak uses ambiguous language to obscure the true meaning of what is being said. The document lists euphemisms and their intended meanings in various contexts to illustrate how language can be used to soften or obscure potentially negative connotations through word choice and phrasing.

Uploaded by

Kristina Laova
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Euphemism and Doublespeak Worksheet

1. Sufferer from fictitious disorder syndrome

A. Stolen goods

2. Sub-optimal

B. Junkyard

3. Temporarily displaced inventory

C. Plastic

4. Negative gain in test scores

D. Bag of ice cubes

5. Synthetic glass

E. Bribe

6. Normal gratitude

F. Death

7. Vegetarian leather

G. Liar

8. Thermal therapy kit

H. Vinyl

9. Substantive negative outcome

I. Failed

10. Reutilization marketing yard

J. Lower test scores

One of the primary uses of euphemism or doublespeak is the military.


1.

Department of Defense

A. Mistakenly attacked by own allies

2.

The Peacekeeper

B. Invade country before they can attack yours

3.

Collateral damage

C. Land mine

4.

Liquidation

D. Formerly War Department

5.

Wet work

E. Peace

6.

Area denial munitions

F. Large non-nuclear bomb

7.

Friendly fire

G. MX missile

8.

Pre-hostility

H. Civilian casualties

9.

Preemptive war

I. Assassination

10. Psychological deterrent

J. Murder

Another frequent user of the euphemism is the political arena.


1.

Final Solution

A. Armed political rebel

2.

Concentration camp

B. Armed political rebel

3.

Ethnic cleansing

C. Prison

4.

Freedom Fighter

D. Imprisonment without due process

5.

Terrorist

E. Genocide

6.

Protective custody

F. Genocide carried out by Hitler

7.

Executive action

G. Assassination

8.

Shared sacrifice

H. Death camp

9.

Public speaking without a permit

I. Taxes

10. Internment facility

J. Freedom of speech

Now try these from society where peoples worries about being politically correct create these types of
euphemisms.
1.

Job seekers

A. Disabled

2.

Asylum seekers

B. Beat

3.

Pacify

C. Refugees

4.

Unsavory character

D. Blind

5.

Involuntary conversion

E. Unemployed

6.

Differently abled

F. Old person

7.

Visually impaired

G. Hippies

8.

Senior citizen

H. Plane crash

9.

Urban

I. Criminal

10. Counter culture

J. African American

Connotation, denotation, euphemisms, and doublespeak all make up what we refer to as diction. Diction
simply means word choice. As you know already, some words are better than others in certain situations.
Complete the following sentences by choosing the appropriate word from the words in parentheses.
1.

My mother wrote a note about my absence saying I was too


(diseased, ill, sick)

2.

My best friend is

3.

After death, the body will


(decay, decompose, rot)

4.

She is

5.

The police report said she was in possession of


(controlled substances, drugs, dope)

to come to school.

.
( fat, overweight, obese, flabby, plump)
.

.
(ignorant, nave, unschooled)
.

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