Names for ...

Baker, John JBaker at STRADLEY.COM
Thu Apr 26 20:52:31 UTC 2001


        I don't consider this a true euphemism; it's simply legal language
being used in a legal context.  If you disagree, how would you express the
concept?  Bear in mind that you should have due regard for the formality of
the occasion.  You may, of course, question the precept that it's O.K. to
execute the sane but not the mentally ill; that, however, is a different
issue.

        "Headcount reductions" (instead of "layoffs") is a true euphemism,
and a particularly bad one.  Management is trying to send a message of
support to the employees (at least the remaining ones) and cannot bring
itself to speak directly.  Instead, management chose a term that (1) says
that layoffs really are coming, (2) shows that management is hypocritical
for being unwilling to say so directly, and (3) conveys to employees that
they are just numbers to be reduced.

John Baker


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Beverly Flanigan [SMTP:flanigan at OAK.CATS.OHIOU.EDU]
> Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2001 4:19 PM
> To:   ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject:      Re: Names for ...
>
> This isn't about dot-coms, but it's equally euphemistic--and just plain
> outrageous.  An Ohio death-row inmate who has been a schizophrenic most of
> his life was reprieved from death at the last minute recently, only to be
> re-sentenced to death when a panel of judges found him "competent to be
> executed."  I kid you not.
>
> At 12:23 PM 4/26/01 -0700, you wrote:
> >Hi, everyone--
> >
> >Perhaps you've noticed new euphemisms cropping up
> >among the wounded and nearly dead on the dot-com
> >battlefield. Today our company (an Internet-consulting
> >firm) announced that during the first quarter of 2001,
> >we lost $5 mill. from unpaid work. The memo said, "We
> >are committed to our people, and we have taken several
> >steps to reduce our expenses." One of the steps "we"
> >have taken is "implementing headcount reductions."
> >
> >Does anyone else have otherwise outrageous statements
> >to report?
> >
> >Oh, I'm pleased to report that I am not among the
> >no-longer-counted noggins. But I'm worried about those
> >who are!
> >
> >Thanks--
> >
> >Elizabeth
> >
> >
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >Do You Yahoo!?
> >Yahoo! Auctions - buy the things you want at great prices
> >http://auctions.yahoo.com/
>
>
> _____________________________________________
> Beverly Olson Flanigan         Department of Linguistics
> Ohio University                     Athens, OH  45701
> Ph.: (740) 593-4568              Fax: (740) 593-2967
> http://www.cats.ohiou.edu/linguistics/dept/flanigan.htm



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