Euphemisms in English Everyday Discourse Eufemismy V anglickém jazykovém prostředí

a mental health 
condition 
staying longer in hospital, Srivastava added. “
(Campbell, 2017)
Another euphemism also refers to the problem quite directly and it 
contains a motif of losing. Since mental issues do not have to be inborn the 
euphemistic alternative below shows the possibility of 
losing mind
due to a 
difficult life situation or as the result of a disease. As the variant in the example is 
considered formal, this term is frequently used in press. Its function is to soften 
the seriousness of the problem and at the same time to avoid being offensive.
“As the disease progresses, Kathleen will bear witness to the gradual 
loss of her 
own mind
.”
(Hackman, 2015)
Less formal term for being mentally ill is – 
go mad
. This euphemistic 
substitution depends on the context because it might receive negative connotations 
as well. It is rather a colloquial expression which is mainly used in spoken 

---

51 
discourse, but still one can come across it some articles. Dealing with its positive 
connotation the term softens the meaning and evades direct naming.
“One friend once said to me she wished she could 
go mad
so she could write 
interesting books like Sylvia Plath.”
(Caster, 2014)
2.4 EUPHEMISMS FOR DEATH AND DYING
It is incredibly difficult to speak about death and dying because it is 
always accompanied with pain and sorrow. Since it has always been the saddest 
part in people’s life they tried to lower their suffering through using softer words 
when referring to it. The examples below show the most frequently used 
euphemisms when speaking about death and dying. They all contain a motif of 
passing and leaving and are understood to be formal. By using these euphemistic 
alternatives, the speaker turns down the seriousness of the situation and evades the 
potential negative effect of his or her words. On top of that, these terms sound 
comforting and express togetherness and sympathy as well.
“FC Barcelona would like to express its pain and sorrow at the