A euphemism is a word or phrase that is used in place of another that is considered to be offensive, harsh, or blunt. It’s a way of softening the blow of a potentially uncomfortable topic. An example is saying “passed away” instead of “died,” or “between jobs” for “unemployed.”

As in all walks of life, euphemisms abound in legal language. Here are a few that I’ve come across although, ¡ojo! these may not be the only acceptable meanings of these terms. (And I’d never heard it before, but I like **this one best, although I don’t think it’s very common):

• capital punishment (death penalty)
• carnal knowledge (sexual intercourse)
• child born out of wedlock (illegitimate child—now more often referred to as a nonmarital child)
• collateral damage (civilian casualties)
• commission (bribe)
• contributions (taxes)
• corporate downsizing (layoff; firing of employees)
• correctional facility (prison)
• detention at His Majesty’s pleasure (indeterminate prison sentence)
• dissolution of marriage (divorce)
• enhanced interrogation (torture)
• ethnic cleansing (forced deportation; genocide)
• inebriated; intoxicated; impaired (drunk)
• intelligence gathering (spying)
• internment facility (prison)
• involuntary relocation (eviction)
• law enforcement officer (police)
• let go (fired)
• migrant pushback (collective expulsion; refoulement)
• morally flexible (corrupt)
• person of interest (suspect)
• protective custody (detention without charge)
• questioning by the police (interrogation)
• revenue enhancement (tax increase)
• substance abuser (drug addict)
• termination of pregnancy (abortion)
• **testimony without borders (lying under oath)
• untruth (lie)
• youthful indiscretion (juvenile misdemeanor)