youthemism

English

Etymology

Blend of youth +‎ euphemism

Noun

youthemism (plural youthemisms)

1. (slang, rare) A euphemism that is used to appeal to older individuals, to make them feel younger.
   • 1960, Ruth Margaret White, Library Service to an Aging Population: An Institute:

     We should seek to convert the American from the search for cosmetic "youthemisms" for growing old such as "Golden Agers" to acceptance of old age's vicissitudes, inevitability, and pleasures. The union program for the laborer begins with the ...

   • 2000, Marv Rubinstein, Net-wit.com: A Smorgasbord of E-mail and Internet Wit Blended with Humorous Incidents from the Author's Wild and Wooly Life, Schreiber Pub, →ISBN, page 219:

     FRIG: A “youthemism” to be used only when little old ladies are present. Considered a little  ...

Related terms

• youthism

See also

• elderly
• senior
• silver