Euphemisms, to me, is usually a failure in the way that we use language. Of course it has its uses, but generally it is used to blunt the blade that is our words.
For example: "That's been going on for a long time". 'For a long time' often means 'too damn long' but people are afraid to say such things. Candour is a concept many can't grasp, even if they are trying to be direct.
Death is also a common one. "Kick the can". Recently I heard 'cancer' as "the thing". I think people should stop shying away from this sort of timidness. The world is grown up and so too should our language be. This sort of self-censorship restricts our thoughts, instead we choose to use words spoken by many, many a time. But I'll stop with the Orwell.
So next time you speak, think about what you just said. Did everything you communicate come out in the way you wanted it too? Why are you speaking in such a way? Is it because you want to present yourself in a certain type of way? We should all make a conscious effort to go away from the comfortable norm and venture into new language territory.
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