Adieu, the final farewell, an exploration of death!
Euphemisms: Forward to Statistics – Forward to Religious Beliefs – Back to Death
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For some reason we don’t like to say dying, dead or died, instead we tend to say passing, at peace or perished.
In fact, Adieu accumulated a list of well over 250 euphemisms used in this context. Some prove more agreeable, amusing and less antagonistic substitutes that are routinely applied. Below we have used over fifty of these euphemisms in the six paragraphs:.
Instead of dying they are on their way out, not long for this world, they have one foot in the grave, their life is guttering or petering out, they are on their last legs. Their doctors define them as moribund or terminally ill. The forthcoming death is hardly ever mentioned.
They did not die, they came to an end, didn’t make it, they passed over, slipped away and went to sleep. They had pulled their last pint, taken their last curtain call, popped their clogs, kicked the bucket and given up the ghost. Medical staff would suggest they had flatlined, could feel no more pain, they were now resting in peace.
If it had not been a ‘good death’ then they were cut down, succumbed, met an untimely end, expired, kaput, croaked, went belly up and shuffled off this mortal coil. They went the way of the dinosaurs, they didn’t make it, and are no more! Some may have made the ultimate sacrifice, passed beyond the veil, laid down their life, to take their final bow as they met with the Grim Reaper, the angel of death.
If they were religious then they were called back to God, carried away by the angels, they passed through the pearly gates, where they met their maker, joined their ancestors, joined the eternal heavenly choir, entered the afterlife and were gone to a better place.
If a Cockney they are brown bread, if they liked a flutter they cashed in their chips. Cowboys bite the dust or ride off into the sunset. Sci-fi fans became one with the force. They were a goner, they slipped away.
They are not dead they have gone the way of all flesh, wearing a wooden onesie, they are now six feet under, pushing up the daisies. They are out of their misery and taking their final sleep.
We should use the D-words – doomed, dying, demise, dead, demised, death, departed!
Euphemisms: Forward to Statistics – Forward to Religious Beliefs – Back to Death
Back to Adieu Index - Back to Bob Denton home page
