Euphemisms May Be Useful, But They Can Erode Your Moral Sense

"Beating around the bush serves a valuable purpose: Not only can it ease potentially awkward social situations, but it also lets people get away with things they otherwise wouldn't. ... [Yet] indirect speech also serves a more personal purpose, helping people to preserve a positive moral self-image even in the face of wrongdoing - which, in turn, may actually facilitate bad behavior."