This is a list of

euphemism A euphemism () is an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that is deemed offensive or suggests something unpleasant. Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the user wishes ...

s for death and dying in the

English language English is a West Germanic language of the Indo-European language family, with its earliest forms spoken by the inhabitants of early medieval England. It is named after the Angles, one of the ancient Germanic peoples that migrated to the is ...

. A euphemism is a common word or phrase intended to soften the harshness of a literal meaning. For example, most English speakers would understand the phrase ''"kick the bucket"'' to mean ''"to die,"'' as well as to actually kick a bucket. Furthermore, they would understand when each meaning is being used in context. A euphemism is not to be confused with other

figures of speech A figure of speech or rhetorical figure is a word or phrase that intentionally deviates from ordinary language use in order to produce a rhetorical effect. Figures of speech are traditionally classified into '' schemes,'' which vary the ordinary ...

such as a

metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. It may provide (or obscure) clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas. Metaphors are often compared wit ...

, which invokes an image by use of implicit comparisons (''e.g.'', ''"the man of steel"'' ); a

simile A simile () is a figure of speech that directly ''compares'' two things. Similes differ from other metaphors by highlighting the similarities between two things using comparison words such as "like", "as", "so", or "than", while other metaphors cr ...

, which invokes an image by use of explicit comparisons (''e.g.'', ''"faster than a speeding bullet"''); and

hyperbole Hyperbole (; adj. hyperbolic ) is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis (literally 'growth'). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and ...

, which exaggerates an image beyond truthfulness (''e.g.'', like ''"missed by a mile"'' ). Euphemisms are also not to be confused with

proverb A proverb (from la, proverbium) is a simple and insightful, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic speech, formulaic language. A proverbial phra ...

s, which are simple sayings that express a truth based on common sense or practical experience. Most English-language idioms for death refer to the process of being buried, sleeping or at rest, or religious ideals of life after death, for example Christian heaven. A list of euphemisms for death in the English language, in the past tense unless noted with a (Pr) for present: * Go west (Pr) K* Kicked the bucket * Passed away / Passed on / Moved on * Pop one's clogs (Pr) K* Pushing up daises (Pr) * Sleeping with the fishes * Croaked * Six feet under * Joined the church triumphant * Taken a dirt nap * Gone to heaven / Went to heaven * Gone home / Went home * Expired * Breathed their last reath* Succumbed * Left us / Left this world / Left this mortal coil * Lost * Met their maker * Wasted * Checked out * Crossed the Bar * ''various forms of'' Eternal rest / Everlasting peace * Was a goner * Came to an end * Bit the dust / Returned to dust * Annihilated * Liquidated * Terminated * Gave up the

ghost A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...

* Snuffed out * Went to a new life * In the Great Beyond * No longer with us * Made the Change * On the other side *

God In monotheism, monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator deity, creator, and principal object of Faith#Religious views, faith.Richard Swinburne, Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Ted Honderich, Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Ox ...

took them * Departed * Transcended * Bought the farm * With the angels / Carried away by the angels * Feeling no pain * Lost the race * Time was up * Crashed in * Crossed over

Jordan Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...

* Was done in * In glory * Withered away * Gave it up * Has stood his/her last watch * A/The long sleep * Heavenly shores * Found whatever is next * Out of their misery * Promoted to Glory * Ended it all * Resting in peace * Changed form * Dropped the body * Rode into the sunset * That was all they wrote * Withdrew to more favorable frontiers

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:English-language euphemisms for death Eng Lists of English phrases Euphemisms

See also

Further reading

References