The Limits of Euphamism - Part II

Euphemisms  have always had their place in polite society, but like any tool they are best employed in the correct situations and used appropriately. Whereas once the substitution of a palatable term for an unpleasant one was the province of diplomats and barely restrained argument, we have seen the practice form a major part of our social policy for decades. Where once terms such as "negro" and "Indian" were once accepted, they are now frowned upon in "polite" conversation at best and considered evidence of bigotry at worst.

Several words have gone through several replacement iterations, with predictable results: The attitudes about the groups referred to haven't changed for the better. If anything, relations have deteriorated as demands for use of such terms have become more shrill. The shifting terminology was not the only reason for the deterioration, nor was it the worst. Given the frequency of the shifts, however, it remains one of the more obvious symptoms in a culture that has come to emphasize demands for respect with no accountability for actions that are worthy of it.

The failure of euphemisms to result in any tangible change in attitudes may account for part of the reason why gay advocacy groups were so insistent in classifying gay unions as "marriage." The recent history of other term substitutions show that people really aren't fooled for any length of time by similar words. Advocates may have recognized that there would be no chance for lasting acceptance of the unions under any other title than "marriage."

Eventually, all forms of verbal deception will fail as they collide with truth. While words have great power, they cannot alter reality. People will think no more respectfully of "older people" today than they did "the elderly" yesterday. Attitudes towards minorities haven't changed by adding hyphens, and gay "marriage" is not marriage. Until the groups involved are willing to understand that true tolerance goes in every direction, it will take a lot more than a Newspeak Dictionary for things to improve.