Polite Terms for Difficult Situations

[Mike047]

We try to cover things up by giving them 'nicer' names. It makes it easier, like 'passed away' instead of died.

 

So here are a few more:

 

* Motion Discomfort Receptacle - for sick bag

* Sanitary Landfill - for rubbish dump

* Paying a Visit - going to the toilet

* Aztec Two-Step - diarrhoea

* Ambient Replenishment Operative - shelf stacker

 

There are others, some very humorous, like:

 

* Vertically Challenged - short

* Follically Challenged - bald

 

Others were correct and long overdue updates on incorrect and unloving terms, like:

 

* Cerebral Palsy defining a health problem where people were called 'spastic'

* Downs Syndrome defining a health problem where people were called 'mongol'

* Special Educational Needs children, previously called 'retards'

 

No doubt other lands have others, too

 

 

[Pabo]

On 1/31/2024 at 3:09 AM, Mike047 said:

* Paying a Visit - going to the toilet

 

"Visiting Mary-Lou" is term I use, which actually I have a parody of the song "Hello Mary Lou" that at time sing when I do go to the loo.

 

Or I say with a Scottish accent - "Ey canna needa wee widdle stop"

 

Or "I have to drop a deposit"

 

 

 

 

[RMGreenwood]

On 1/30/2024 at 4:09 PM, Mike047 said:

* Aztec Two-Step - diarrhoea

I've never heard that one before. Do you know where it comes from or if there's an explanation at all?

 

Similar to:

On 1/30/2024 at 4:09 PM, Mike047 said:

* Paying a Visit - going to the toilet

I've also heard "spend a penny" and "to drop the kids off at the pool".

 

I saw some interesting engineering type ones on Instagram the other day, including "organic grounding event" - meaning someone got electrocuted, and "spontaneous kinetic disassembly" - it blew up.

[Mike047]

Rebecca, I think the Aztec two-step originally referred to diarrhoea affecting tourists in Mexico and South America who lack immunity to bacteria in the  local food and drinking water. The many colourful colloquialisms describing traveller's diarrhoea also include Delhi Belly, and Montezuma's Revenge.

[Cool.As.Ice]

I only have a high-school education, all these big words are giving me a headache…

 

I guess I have a psychomyogenic headache?

[dljbsp]

On 1/31/2024 at 6:31 PM, Pabo said:

* Paying a Visit - going to the toilet

"Going to see a man about a horse."

 

"Going to pick mushrooms"

 

[LeolaRootStew]

Diarrhea:

-the back-trots

-the runs

 

Moles:

-beauty marks

[dljbsp]

Here are more: some humorous, some reality.

 

For Bodily Functions:

 “Freshening up” or “answering nature’s call” for using the toilet

 “Powdering my nose” (often used by women)

 

For Unpleasant Situations:

 “Collateral damage” for civilian casualties in warfare

 “Friendly fire” for accidental attacks on one’s own side

 “Being let go” or “downsized” for being fired

 “Economical with the truth” for lying

 

For Physical Attributes:

 “Differently abled” for disabled

 “Full-figured” for overweight

 “Senior” or “golden-ager” for elderly

 “Visually impaired” for blind

 

For Death and Dying:

 “Departed” or “no longer with us” for died

 “Passed on” or “gone to rest”

 

For Illness:

 “Under the weather” for feeling sick

 “Not 100%” for feeling slightly ill

[Mike047]

Some very good ones here, David.#

 

A butler in  a large manor house  was welcoming guests for the lady of the manor, who at that time had a cold and runny nose. They agreed on a euphemism to indicate she had a problem by using the phrase 'Sir Peter's at the door', reminding her of the need to discreetly wipe her nose. As the meal was starting, the butler notice a dewdrop on the end of her nose and casually walked up to her, 'Sir Peter's at the door', he said to her. "but I didn't invite anyone called Sir Peter" her ladyship said. The butler then discreetly tapped his nose and repeated 'Sir Peter's at the door'. She turned to the butler, "just who is this Sir Peter?" she asked. "Never mind, ma'am", he replied "Sir Peter's in the soup".

[LeolaRootStew]

11 minutes ago, Mike047 said:

Some very good ones here, David.#

 

A butler in  a large manor house  was welcoming guests for the lady of the manor, who at that time had a cold and runny nose. They agreed on a euphemism to indicate she had a problem by using the phrase 'Sir Peter's at the door', reminding her of the need to discreetly wipe her nose. As the meal was starting, the butler notice a dewdrop on the end of her nose and casually walked up to her, 'Sir Peter's at the door', he said to her. "but I didn't invite anyone called Sir Peter" her ladyship said. The butler then discreetly tapped his nose and repeated 'Sir Peter's at the door'. She turned to the butler, "just who is this Sir Peter?" she asked. "Never mind, ma'am", he replied "Sir Peter's in the soup".

 

This is why we need the vomit emoji as a reaction. 🤮

[just1-4all]

On 1/30/2024 at 11:09 AM, Mike047 said:

* Paying a Visit - going to the toilet

* Aztec Two-Step - diarrhoea

I like the term our NWT uses: "easing nature" or "covering the feet" for restroom needs

Also "I need to use the Lou" (an abbreviation for "The Louvre" I'm guessing.)

 

"Got the skitters" for diarrhoea. 🥴

 

 

[Qapla]

1 hour ago, just1-4all said:

"Got the skitters" for diarrhoea.

 

Also - "having a case of the quick step"

 

Edited December 19, 2024 by Qapla

[Dages]

On 2/1/2024 at 11:44 PM, RMGreenwood said:

to drop the kids off at the pool

We have the same in French, and so many other examples  

Like "unmold a cake", "file for bankruptcy", "that one won't go to kindergarten"... and other I cannot tell 

And for the StarGate SG1 fan.
"Teal'c went through the Chappa'ai"

[Tortuga]

23 minutes ago, Dages said:

And for the StarGate SG1 fan.
"Teal'c went through the Chappa'ai"

Edited December 19, 2024 by Tortuga

[rocket]

Take a pee

 

Gotta talk to a dog about a tree.