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Euphemisms of the powerful

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    #26
    Euphemisms of the powerful

    Where has 'tactical airstrike' been used euphemistically for 'barely discriminate bombing'? It's a perfectly legitimate term with its own clear definition. In no sense is it used as a euphemism - it is used in contrast to a 'strategic airstrike', for instance.

    Rocket, cannon, and machine gun fire were all feature of tactical air support operations during WW2, as well as, of course, the use of bombs.

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      #27
      Euphemisms of the powerful

      Dilbert is usually a good source of weaselly words like "Headcount" and so on....

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        #28
        Euphemisms of the powerful

        diggedy derek wrote:
        I'm sure there are a million really good ones, but 'patrol' can be quite a weaselly one. As in, "our patrol engaged insurgents and returned fire". As if a patrol is just the equivalent of circling your wagons and having a quick scout around to check everything's OK before sundown, rather than driving a large convoy of military vehicles around to keep the natives in terror.
        Actually, I don't think the word "patrol" was devised for euphemistic purposes. A patrol is simply a unit that leaves base with the intention not of advancing the front but of either search-and-destroy type combat or reconnaissance. A unit that leaves intending to wander about, do something military, and then return, in other words. The British Army used to distinguish between "fighting patrols" and "recce patrols", but probably both have now been Americanised.

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          #29
          Euphemisms of the powerful

          Let's not forget the panty patrol.

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            #30
            Euphemisms of the powerful

            Sultan of Bruno wrote:
            Let's not forget the panty patrol.
            Or PWEI's 'Beaver Patrol'

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