This morning, the local news guy on KUER mentioned Ariel Sharon's stroke and his critical condition. He mentioned that the Israeli government was making various plans to respond to the crisis in that "Sharon won't be returning to politics." What a strange euphemism for what's actually going on--a critical illness, a hovering death. And my sister the other day referred to a really tragic death that dramatically affected her family as an "unforseen circumstance." I hate these euphemisms for death. I know why we do it--to protect ourselves from the realities of death, to not temp the fates, etc. But I think we should talk about death, look at the thing, call it by name. I'm curious--what euphemisms for death have you heard/ used?
On the topic of death, I have to say how dismayed I am to find out that Six Feet Under has five seasons, not four. I only recently started watching the show and I have a serious addiction. I won't tell you how quickly and dedicatedly I've watched each season--far too embarrassing. I recently finished season three and I felt a sense of relief that at least I only have one more season. And then the addiction can wrap up and I can move on. But no, there are five. Which means that once I finish season four, I have to wait anxiously for season five, which isn't yet on DVD, all caught up in wondering what happens to this fictional family in their fictional funeral parlor.
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Yes! Dr. Write and I know the addiction of Six Feet Under. We've killed entire weekends on it. I think it's just about the best show ever.
As to euphemisms for death. I agree. I always think about euphemisms for death in the context of war. I recall, however, on the News Hour last fall an interview with a Marine General. He said something like, "The Marines will go in and do what Marines do best: kill people." You could see that the others on the panel were taken back a bit. You're not supposed to make such bald statements about death and war on TV. But I admired the man's candor. It was refreshing: plain talk about death war.
Reverent:
1) passed (or passed on)
2) gone to her/his glory
3) resting in peace (requisat in pacem)
4) at peace (as in "she's finally at peace!")
5) gone to a better place
Irreverent:
1) kicked the bucket
2) clocked out
3) taking a dirt nap
4) bite the dust (or the big one)
5) buy the farm
6) buy a pine condo
7) belly up (or tits up depending on how vulgur you want to be)
8) waxed
9) wasted
10)swimming with the fishes
I'm sure I could think of more.
The worst official obfuscation for death is "Collatoral Damage."
In Alexander McCall Smith's "Number One Ladies Dective Agency" series, set in modern-day Botswana, the characters regularly refer to dead family members and loved ones, even when talking to people they've just met, and the adjective of choice is "late." And not "my late father," but "my father is late." At first I found this disconcerting (is he not on time for an appointment, or is he dead? and if it's the latter, why mention it to a stranger?), but now it seems familiar and charming and honest.
I hate war euphemisms esp collatoral damage but I'm ok with everyday family/friend kind of death euphemisms. I need a bit of a buffer between me and the stark reality that someone just "lost" a husband or a friend.
maybe I could watch 6 feet under and feel good about myself. I stopped at season 1 with 24--felt too guilty.
You have more will power than I do, Ron. I feel guilty about my Six Feet Under obsession, but I'll keep watching it.
Why feel guilty? What else are we supposed to be doing? Remember what we learned in grad school: everything can be written off as cultural studies.
Don't feel guilty. This is the world we live in, TV is a part of it. You don't have to dignify it by calling it "cultural studies" or anything else. Call it "interesting." Call it "absorbing." Call it "fun." What, are we supposed to be too good for fun? I'd write more, but there are episodes of Law and Order: Criminal Intent to watch.
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