A quote from Winston Churchiill, and gosh have we continued unabated.
Following on from this article: The Pentagon's war on words
George Orwell classically defined euphemisms as words “to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable".
Enhanced interrogation sounds technically superior to ordinary questioning, you know, new and improved; whereas what it means is applying the Torquemada methodology until one gets the answer one desires. Torture as most sane people would describe it.
Collateral damage makes you think of broken crockery rather than blasted bodies. We rendered those we unilaterally termed guilty inoperative, unfortunately there was some minor collateral damage. Meaning, we executed without trial and murdered some others. It's nearly as bad as involuntary term limitation.
We see it used everyday for example:
The Defense of Marriage Act: Oh no we are not discriminating bigots, tsk, tsk, we are protecting traditional family values. Wonderful. Traditional family values being another, probably christian, although there are some biblical figures spring to mind that disobey the modern interpretation. Yes ,but, those were approved by God.
Technically a euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. However it has been turned on its head and used to manipulate the reality.
Here are some others;
This one is especially for John McCain; use assertive disarmament instead of war.
Incestuous amplification meaning only promoting those points that fit your world view and vilifying all others.
Embedded journalists, we will keep you safe, hinting that it is a privilege with great access, whereas all it means is that they can only see what others want them to see.
My favorite: surgical strike, so neat and clean and probably beneficial. Sigh.
Do you have any personal favorites? Please add on.