Flooded Eyes
Flooded Eyes
Leave it to kids to use creative ways to describe their experiences.
While I watch one of my kids at the doctor’s office, you could see that they were visibly distressed when the doctor and nurse requested the child to remove their shirt. To be fair, it was a tighter shirt that did not allow the work to be done effectively, so this was a necessary step. While the doctor and nurse were evaluating and treating this child, I tried to be a distraction by making funny faces, telling the best dad jokes in my repertoire, and telling outlandish stories about what was happening. By the time we got back to the Fuzz – our affectionate name for my Ford Escape – the tears started to flow. Although we were supposed to go to Grandma’s house afterwards, the experience was intense enough that we went straight home.
Fast forward a couple more days, we were back at the doctor’s office for the next phase of treatment. Before we stepped into the doctor’s office, I tried to explain the things that would happen during the visit so there would be no surprises. We walked out the door 45 minutes later in the same disposition we entered. As a matter of fact, as I was helping my child into the Fuzz, I was told with great enthusiasm… “My eyes weren’t even flooding while we were inside!”
What is a euphemism?
When is the last time you recognized a creative euphemism like the one I heard from my child? Books like George Orwell’s 1984 is replete with examples that the government of Oceania used to control the actions and attitudes of the citizenry. The biggest examples were in the names of government ministries… The Ministry of Truth, the Ministry of Peace, the Ministry of Love, and the Ministry of Plenty. If you have read the book, you understand that the names of each ministry was the antithesis of its respective function and purpose.
Our culture and language is also replete with examples. The intention of a euphemism is to soften the impact of words or phrases that have a harsh or negative connotation. The example below is a small sample of the euphemisms we use courtesy of www.studiobinder.com with the last being my favorite example courtesy of my child.
“Passed away” instead of died.
“Let go” instead of fired.
“Put down” instead of euthanized.
“Flooded eyes” instead of cry.
The unfortunate problem associated with euphemisms is that they mask the reality of our present situation, or the reality of the suffering we may soon experience, or the reality of fear that lurks within us. Even though they make us feel better, they don’t force us to face the potential harshness of reality.
Questions to Ponder
What euphemisms do you commonly use with your friends or family to mask your feelings, beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors?
Does the use of the euphemisms you listed inhibit your growth or ability to create new habits and disciplines?
In what ways can you preplan your responses, actions, or attitudes to reflect the reality you will ultimately face with good character and integrity?
Do you need help from a trusted friend to walk you through the experience?
Here is to using your language with intentionality and integrity.
P.S. I am a fan of stories. If you have a story of a good euphemism that you’ve heard recently - from others of course – would you be willing to share it with me or for that matter what you learned about the person who used the euphemism?