Euphemism
The use of a mild, indirect, or vague expression in place of something harsh, blunt, or taboo. Euphemism can be used for politeness, evasion, or to soften harsh realities.
Real World
In war poetry, soldiers 'fall' rather than die, and casualties are described as 'losses' — euphemisms that military institutions use to sanitise the reality of death, which poets like Owen and Sassoon deliberately expose.
Exam Focus
Analyse what the euphemism conceals and why — the gap between the mild expression and harsh reality reveals speaker attitude or social critique.
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