Occupational Hazards

Authors

Richard E. Douglass

Abstract

Nobody gets fired anymore. They are now victims of 'involuntary resignations' or 'temporary cutbacks' or 'job classification eliminations' ... or any of a dozen other euphemistic descriptions for summary dismissal.

In the continuing search for newer, softer, more ambiguous terms with which to deliver the final blow to unsatisfactory workers, some industries are digging into their own terminology. Thus a Yellow Pages employee on the way out may be 'declassified', 'unlisted' or 'disconnected'. A deposed nobleman may be 'discounted', 'distributed' or subjected to 'delivery'.

Recommended Citation

Douglass, Richard E. (1981) "Occupational Hazards," Word Ways: Vol. 14 : Iss. 1 , Article 7.
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/wordways/vol14/iss1/7