Euphemisms – they’re a peculiarity of language in everyday use we should really steer clear of in our writing. Right? Well…

Usually, a euphemism is a word or phrase used to describe something unpleasant or awkward in a way that is inoffensive.

So who describes a liar as someone being economical with the truth? Is that the same person who is vertically challenged (short), under the weather (ill), big-boned (overweight), down in the dumps (depressed), because a family member who was thin on top (balding) has just passed on (died) after being between jobs (unemployed)?

They might be driving a pre-owned (second-hand) car, on the game (working as a  prostitute), have a bun in the oven (they’re pregnant),  and about to offer you a sweetener (bribe).

Your creative writing prompt/exercise this week is to take the longest list of euphemisms you can come up with and find alternatives.  Then work the concept into a piece of short fiction. Write about someone on the verge of being laid off (fired)  because they insist on using ridiculous euphemisms all the time, in such a way it has got them into hot water (!).

So have your character tell it like it is, but without sarcasm, irony or insult. Try a 1,000 short story for this. And it’s fiction, aka a tall tale.

As always, call back next Wednesday at 5pm (Dublin time) for another prompt/exercise to help you stretch those creative writing muscles. Subscribe (for free) to get email notifications of when new posts are published here.