Euphemisms for death

[DizBelle]

I don't know why but euphemisms for death bug me.... "passed", "passed away", etc. They didn't overtake a car on the highway, they died.

Death stinks but it is going to happen to every single one of us. There's no point in sugar coating it.

But I've always been one to appreciate a no nonsense, direct approach.

 

[Disney Ella]

I'm sure I'll be in the minority, but I agree with you. If born isn't a bad or insensitive word, why is died?

 

[luvmy3]

I was always taught that "passed" meant that they have passed into the after life. I don't see using that term as trying to be sensitive, although even if it is, why wouldn't you try to be a little sensitive when consoling someone?

 

[laurie31]

When giving a family bad news, doctors are told not to use these euphemisms.

Things like "he didn't make it" or "he passed away" - although most people certainly know what that means, could leave room for doubt. Where I work, they are told to come out and say, "I'm so sorry, we did everything we could, but he died," or even "He is dead." It seems blunt and cruel, but dancing around the truth doesn't make the person any less dead.

 

[ols386]

IMO, I think using the words "passed away" seem more respectful and a little less blunt, to the family, rather than the word died or dead.

 

[IdesOmarch]

Bought the farm

Flamed Out

Terminated

Eliminated

Taken out

Kicked the bucket

Is now at peace

will now sleep forever

 

[mickeyboat]

I prefer "passed away" to "died" in most cases.

 

[RadioNate]

I agree with you OP. I don't like them at all. In journalism school we were told not to use them.

The worst is "lost." The person is not lost, they are dead.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I never liked "Passed". It seems incomplete or vague or something to me. I've used "passed away" on the DIS because it does seem like an overly sensitive phrase, and well, the DIS is overly sensitive. (IMO) When my mother "passed away" in the Fall, I told my family "Mom (grandma) died."

 

[Snoopymom]

Yikes, makes me think of that People Who Died song.

I think it's more respectul to use passed when talking directly to the family and friends of the person.

 

[crashbb]

I dislike "lost". When people said/say that I "lost my mum", it makes it sound like I was a disorganised child and I misplaced her.

 

[Hoodie]

I agree. I don't know why it bugs me but it does. I really don't like "passed" because I think "gas".

I thought maybe it would be a thread to list the "best" ones.

Like "taking the big dirt nap"

 

[Hoodie]

I agree with you OP. I don't like them at all. In journalism school we were told not to use them.

The worst is "lost." The person is not lost, they are dead.

I don't like "lost" either because it can actually happen.

My great-grandmother lost my great-uncle. When it happened she announced "I've lost L" We felt bad thinking she just figured out that he died, even though it happened many years ago. When we told her that he died she said "I know that. I lost him"

We found him in the back near the outdoor fireplace, still in the urn.

 

[wendy46001]

Never had an issue with passed
at work we are asked to say the person expired
which i just dont like... sounds to much like spoiled food for me

 

[kwelch10377]

Never had an issue with passed
at work we are asked to say the person expired
which i just dont like... sounds to much like spoiled food for me

Yeah, I'm not a fan of expired either.

I don't have an issue with passed away, but I usually say the person died, with the exception of this morning when I texted my friend to tell her that Liz Taylor bit the dust.

 

[Pigeon]

I like the direct approach, myself. They died. I don't believe in the supernatural, so they "passed" is just goofy to me.

I was just reading one of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books last night where they talked about this topic. In their culture, they tend to use the term, "late," as in Joe's uncle became late yesterday.

 

[bumbershoot]

When I'm talking to someone else about their relative, I usually use the euphemism.

When I'm talking about my mom, I am blunt. And I'm OK with others being blunt.

 

[DMass]

Won't be down for breakfast.

 

[Pigeon]

Or as Monty Python would put it regarding one's dead parrot:

is no more,
has ceased to be,
expired and gone to meet 'is maker,
is a stiff,
bereft of life,
rests in peace,
metabolic processes are now history,
off the twig,
kicked the bucket,
shuffled off his mortal coil,
run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible.

THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!”

 

[eeyoremum]

My sister would use the term "went to sleep forever" then wondered why her children had sleep problems.

I prefer to be blunt