Euphemisms in English Everyday Discourse Eufemismy V anglickém jazykovém prostředí

being sick
in a bucket.”
(McRae, 2012) 
“Whenever I tense, dead hard, it pushes all the acid up and makes me 
throw up
.”
(McRae, 2012)
2.3 EUPHEMISMS FOR DISEASES 
One of the most sensitive topics is speaking about diseases because it is 
not a positive aspect of our lives. No one wants to say it aloud in order not to hurt 
the audience or deepen the pain and suffering. Since it is almost impossible to 
speak about diseases without euphemisms, lots of them have been created in the 
course of time. There are some terms of foreign origin that function as 
euphemisms when referring to a health condition. Using foreign words is a good 
strategy because they sound technical, sophisticated and at the same time they 
express a certain emotional distance. Because of that the possibility of hurting 
someone is lower.
“Immediately prior to taking up his position as the new music director of the 
Royal Northern Sinfonia, Lars Vogt agreed to cover for an 
indisposed
 pianist at 
La Scala in Milan.”
(Hickling, 2015)
The example below shows another euphemistic alternative which is in fact 
a very diplomatic way of saying that someone is ill. Since 
health reasons 
cover all 
possible diseases from influenza to terminal illness, one avoids to naming the 
problem directly and keeps the secret about it. It also implies the lack of 
information about the issue and therefore it is very often used by the media.

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46 
“Martin Ling has resigned as the manager of Swindon Town due to 
health 
reasons
, the club have confirmed.”
(The Guardian, 2015)
To feel unwell
 
is another euphemism that refers to a current health condition 
rather than to a long lasting disease. This euphemistic alternative can be 
understood as a hypernym, it means that it is a general term and it covers all 
different states of body such as dizziness or nausea. This euphemism implies that 
it is only a short-term matter and that the affected one will be alright soon. The 
function emerges from its general nature and it leads to avoidance of direct 
naming. 
“I had begun to 
feel unwell
 minutes after leaving the hairdresser and 10 minutes 
later was covered in large red welts, with very swollen limbs and extremities and 
a great deal of difficulty breathing.”
(Hughes, 2011)
The examples below provide highly sophisticated and elegant 
euphemisms. The avoidance of naming the problem specifically is noticeable. The 
reason for it is not the fear of hurting someone, but in this case it is rather a matter 
of doublespeak. Since the article is about a North Korean authority, words are 
chosen carefully and they are almost vague and do not express anything except 
the fact that the leader is ill. The expressions are extremely evading and covered 
in foreign terms such as 
discomfort 
or 
uncomfortable physical condition
. 
Although, a certain play with the audience is the obvious aim of these 
euphemisms, it is not to reveal any details. Function of these terms is definitely 
not concealing or lying about some facts.
“Leader