History Main / TechnicalEuphemism

* ''WesternAnimation/LittlestPetShop'': In "Hamster Hoods", Dodger and Twist [[JustLikeRobinHood take toys and give them to needier critters]]. Dodger insists that this isn't stealing, it's "permanent borrowing", and he later calls it "redistribution of wealth".

** In the same vein, "Folically challenged" can be used for "bald".
* The euphemism treadmill surrounding the words "idiot," "imbecile," and "moron" became increasingly reliant on this with each iteration. Originally, all three terms referred to different classes of intellectual disability, but when they became generic insults of intelligence, they were replaced with "mentally retarded," the idea being that "retard" was too technical-sounding (coming from the Latin word for slowness) to enter the popular vernacular. Not only did it do exactly that, but by the late 2000s it was considered an outright slur, leading it to be depreciated in formal usage in favor of "mental impairment," then "intellectual disability."

* In the last days of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, Hirohito's pre-recorded speech to announce Japan's surrender on 1945 never used words such as "defeat" but rather "the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage" and "our empire accepts the provisions of their joint declaration." Combined with the poor sound quality of the speech (which was played on a 78 rpm phonograph over fuzzy radio waves) and Hirohito's use of impenetrably antiquated Japanese, this resulted in an announcer having to follow up the speech by stating in plain terms that Japan was surrendering to the Allies.

* Website/{{Tumblr}}: [[https://www.tumblr.com/biologistofthedepths/699345068074680320/kyraneko-lilrabbitssong-vilkalizer?source=share This]] [[https://www.tumblr.com/biologistofthedepths/714413394968690688/thalzad-woefully-undercaffeinated-elfwreck?source=share post]] discusses the use of such euphemisms in the scientific community where academics use technical terminology to record the experimental process, which often involve anecdotes that are just as interesting (if not more-so) than the research itself.[[note]]The second link is also discussed in the Real Life section with aerospace engineers.[[/note]]

* ''VideoGame/MinecraftStoryMode'': The Warden calls Sunset Institute a "behavioral adjustment retreat center". The protagonist comments that it's basically a prison and the Warden insists that they do not use "[[TWordEuphemism P-word]]" around here.

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[[folder:Webcomics]]
* ''Webcomic/{{Dregs}}'': Mags prefers to call guns "pneumatic weapons".

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[[folder:Websites]]

* The Website/SCPFoundation prefers "terminated" to "killed". (Interestingly, the Ethics Committee refuses to use such euphemisms internally, so as to keep a clear view of the ethical conundrums they face.)

[[folder:Web Videos]]
* In one ''WebVideo/ConfessionsOfAThemeParkWorker'' video, Sir Willow refers to throwing up as a "protein spill".
* In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0akpZEs8Tw this]] ''WesternAnimation/CaptainUnderpantsTheFirstEpicMovie'' fan video, Mr. Krupp releases a HurricaneOfEuphemisms for breasts, and among them are "upper private areas", "monopoly mounds", "biological thermometer mounts", "hemispheres", and "child-feeding units".
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->'''Guinan''': "What are you going to do? Go back to your room and pout?"
->'''Ro Laren''': "I am ''not'' twelve years old! If I want to go to my quarters and contemplate my situation, that does not mean that I am... pouting!"
-->-- ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', "Rascals"

*** In "Up the Long Ladder", Worf passes out on the bridge due to having an illness which Dr. Pulaski likens to measles. Worf objects to her use of the term "fainting" to describe the incident, since fainting is considered shameful among [[ProudWarriorRace Klingons]] (his species). So, she says that he "suffered a dramatic drop in blood pressure, his blood glucose level dropped, there was deficient blood flow resulting from circulatory failure. In other words, he curled up his toes and lay unconscious on the floor."
*** In "Rascals", when Ro and Guinan (along with two others) have been [[FountainOfYouth turned into kids]], Guinan asks Ro if she plans on going to her quarters to "pout". Ro says that while she may physically be twelve years old, she's actually not, and thus she's not pouting, but "contemplating her situation".
** ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'': In "Nemesis", an alien species called the Vori use the term "nullify" as a euphemism for "murder".