My Huge Dislike of Euphemisms

Everyone's favorite, or rather, hated social media platform YouTube turned 20 this year. My 17-year-old self thought it was the best thing that was ever invented. Fast forward to 2025, I've come to the conclusion that it has gotten worse over time. Why? It's because these YouTubers are interested in coddling their audiences rather than providing us with honest, factual information. One thing that I dislike about YouTubers is them using euphemisms of words that are harmless for the most part. The late, great George Carlin discussed this on his 1990 comedy album, Parental Advisory. He explained that euphemisms hid the truth, which he had a huge dislike of. There are some terms that were highly offensive and the language needed to change, such as terms that describe people with disabilities. I can accept some language that is here to stay. In my opinion, YouTubers and regular people using euphemisms makes me want to throw up. We're literally babying a generation in order for them to get more views and subscribers/followers. Where feelings are more important than keeping it real to everyone. They're afraid if they used direct language in their videos, their videos would be demonetized, which I've always found both laughable and ridiculous. I've heard that lame excuse countless times. Basically, they have to walk on eggshells, so they don't "trigger" their audiences. I'll share a few examples of terms that many people have been using online that makes me cringe.

• Substance abuse is now substance use disorder
• Unalive or unaliving is just another term for the word suicide
• Prostitutes are now referred to as street walkers
• Guns are now referred to as pew-pews (like, the fuck?)
• Rape is now grape (which is even more dumb)
• Homeless people are now referred to as the unhoused (I wasn't aware of this new term until more recently)

These examples are the reason why this generation is the worst. Using honest, direct language is the route that YouTubers aren't willing to go on, all in the name of protecting their audience's feelings, for clicks, boosting up their subscriber count, and earning money. They need to say the actual words, not toned-down versions of them. Back when YouTube first made its debut online, you could say and post whatever you wanted on the platform. Now, it's gotten even worse over time, all thanks to society. To these YouTubers, they're more concerned of babying their audiences than using direct, honest language in their videos without YouTube acting like Big Brother hovering over them. The censorship has gotten so ridiculous and to me, it only restricts freedom of speech.

A majority of us are adults and we're not delusional idiots either. Let's not bullshit ourselves and society by continuing to coddle them. George Carlin accurately predicted the one thing that's wrong with the current generation. It's not only the soft language the late comedian had bemoaned in the aforementioned comedy special. Profanity has also been heavily censored on YouTube over the last several years. I never understood why "bad words" or "curse words" have to be bleeped out on YouTube. Why do people put them on such a high pedestal? People say shit and fuck all the time. You hear it in everyday life, movies, tv shows, you name it. Being a bit unfiltered, especially every now and then, shouldn't hurt anyone. Years ago, Burger King aired an ad for the Impossible Whopper. In it, while a man was trying out the burger, he uttered, "Damn that's good." The group, One Million Moms, took issue with that line and said it was "inappropriate" for the fast-food chain to show a commercial that used profanity. The "profanity" they were referring to was the "D-word", as they called it, as in the word damn. They called on Burger King to either remove the ad completely or take out the "curse word" and edit it out. Words like damn and ass are harmless words. I don't see them as bad words. This group and the easily offended are acting like they've never cursed in front of their children or anyone.

Nearly 20 years since his death, many give George Carlin high praise for telling things like they are. He wasn't just a comedian; he was a truth teller and wasn't afraid to push people's buttons. His legacy will live on forever and one final thing I'd like to add: everyone needs to grow a pair, especially you YouTubers. Stop it with the endless coddling. You're not helping yourselves, so stop being afraid to curse and use honest and direct language.

Which euphemisms annoy you the most? Which part or parts of any of George Carlin's comedy specials resonates with you? Sound off in the comments section below. If you enjoyed this story, please give it a like. Make sure you follow me on my socials. Finally, like this story and please leave a generous one-off tip. It'll be found at the end of this story. Big or small, your tips will support creators like me so we can keep publishing new stories and share them with everyone.