> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.philsimon.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# On Euphemisms and Speaking Directly
- URL: https://www.philsimon.com/on-euphemisms-and-speaking-directly/
- Published: 2013-05-16T11:39:03.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-04T23:15:43.000Z
- Description: A look at the (d)evolution of the terms we use.
- Author: Phil Simon
- Tags: Communication, George Carlin, Message Not Received, Speaking

Few people had such command of the English language as George Carlin. While I didn't always agree with his politics, I admired him immensely as a speaker. To this day, his speaking style informs my own to a great extent.

Watch the first two minutes of this clip and you'll see what I mean.

*Shell shock* became *post-traumatic stress disorder*.

## Simon Says

Today, there’s no shortage of horrible jargon and superfluous terms in the business world. Using *form factor* in lieu of more banal terms like *size* or *shape* may seem impressive. It’s not. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with using simple language. In fact, you’ll probably find that doing so makes you sound smarter.