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oberliner

(58,724 posts)

104. I see multiple headlines using "dies" and not "passes away"

Reply to Aristus (Original post)

Sun Aug 26, 2018, 04:04 PM

Aug 2018

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"Passed". "Passed away". "Passed on". When did it become verboten to say 'died"? [View all] Aristus Aug 2018 OP

Transitioned? HipChick Aug 2018 #1

Meh. Aristus Aug 2018 #2

My problem is a lot of these terms are tied up in religious connations.. HipChick Aug 2018 #7

I agree with you. Aristus Aug 2018 #12

Heaven forbid there be any religious connotations. Sneederbunk Aug 2018 #24

It implies no such thing. Voltaire2 Aug 2018 #66

I've always preferred "croaked." LastLiberal in PalmSprings Aug 2018 #78

Expired.. never thought of that one, but I think I like it... pangaia Aug 2018 #26

Isn't expired the medical term? LeftInTX Aug 2018 #88

Caribbean death columns are full of that one malaise Aug 2018 #10

Maybe it shouldn't , but that cracked me up. pangaia Aug 2018 #27

The only way to enjoy life is to laugh at its end malaise Aug 2018 #50

Exactly....we are only here for a short time... HipChick Aug 2018 #80

Trees live longer than humans malaise Aug 2018 #84

expired.... dispensable..... what's next?? pangaia Aug 2018 #97

Right, and I see like 1hr long mass obituaries on TV... HipChick Aug 2018 #43

All repeating the same BS malaise Aug 2018 #51

lmao! That reminds me of the time I attended a funeral... HipChick Aug 2018 #67

Bwaaaaaaah malaise Aug 2018 #70

Sometimes it's hard for people who have experienced the pain of losing... brush Aug 2018 #105

I disagree malaise Aug 2018 #108

That's fine. You use what you like, others will use what they want. brush Aug 2018 #112

A relative of mine "entered into spirit life" in 1877 in Providence, RI. Mariana Aug 2018 #106

LOL malaise Aug 2018 #111

Transitioned? You mean transitioned from living to dead? Mariana Aug 2018 #11

Just checked today's Sunday paper malaise Aug 2018 #63

We hide behind a lot of words SCantiGOP Aug 2018 #3

I don't consider those "cutesy eupemisms." They've been used a very long time, and highplainsdem Aug 2018 #4

That's certainly a valid point. Aristus Aug 2018 #9

Instead of setting her up with Ilsa Aug 2018 #40

Exactly. Blue_Roses Aug 2018 #134

"The doctor who wrote that book sounds to me like a bully" mitch96 Aug 2018 #49

No the doctor is not a bully. Nurses are taught technical/medical/legal terms for death... LeftInTX Aug 2018 #95

This RhodeIslandOne Aug 2018 #145

I find the American love of euphemism to be weird and creepy, honestly. Spider Jerusalem Aug 2018 #5

You may be right about the USA's religiosity. Mariana Aug 2018 #15

Yup zipplewrath Aug 2018 #159

"religiosity.".. that's exactly what it is... pangaia Aug 2018 #28

maybe they were a kidney stone in the body politic....... lastlib Aug 2018 #124

Well, then my education about all things British, courtesy of Monty Python, Ltd., has led me astray. sl8 Aug 2018 #31

Legitimate news in the US generally uses DIED. SharonClark Aug 2018 #32

I don't think it's religious.... LeftInTX Aug 2018 #91

I prefer passed SteveMO Aug 2018 #6

Where else? malaise Aug 2018 #143

Not everyone is an atheist SteveMO Aug 2018 #157

True malaise Aug 2018 #158

+1,000 malaise Aug 2018 #8

I prefer the word "died" as well. But when grieving, others may need a softer word... NurseJackie Aug 2018 #13

Let's just say, "She's at the rainbow bridge"? Laffy Kat Aug 2018 #127

Well said! Blue_Roses Aug 2018 #135

Obituaries aren't coroner reports, they are closer to a celebration of the person's spirit Donkees Aug 2018 #14

And the information comes from the bereaved, as well. Rhiannon12866 Aug 2018 #125

In addition, visual language and imagery taps into the healing imagination where hope resides. Donkees Aug 2018 #138

It certainly does. Rhiannon12866 Aug 2018 #139

Seriously! When did people start getting emotional about people dying? kcr Aug 2018 #16

+1 Coventina Aug 2018 #23

I believe George Carlin talked about the passivity of the term. theaocp Aug 2018 #17

I addressed 'expired' in a reply above. Aristus Aug 2018 #18

"Passed" is a christian euphemism; passing on to their belief in a supernatural realm. procon Aug 2018 #19

I'm a Christian, and I agree with you. Aristus Aug 2018 #20

What is the soul? pangaia Aug 2018 #35

Can't hold onto a nebulous belief in the concept of a spiritual soul. procon Aug 2018 #99

You beat me to it. It's a religious phrasing. And some non-religious use it because... Garrett78 Aug 2018 #77

My FIL died recently, and he wasn't religious. Mariana Aug 2018 #107

Yep. It's an odd quirk ingrained in our society. Garrett78 Aug 2018 #109

I Had A Similar RobinA Aug 2018 #142

Some downthread think it's "unfeeling" to say that someone died. Mariana Aug 2018 #160

If you believe in re-incarnation. .. You could say s/he is being recycled. Le Gaucher Aug 2018 #122

I got a call in the middle of the night telling me my patient in a nursing home "expired" Hassin Bin Sober Aug 2018 #21

Oh dear! MontanaMama Aug 2018 #29

I only ever called back once. Hassin Bin Sober Aug 2018 #37

LOL, you win Rorey Aug 2018 #54

That's what happens to cereal past its 'use by' date........ lastlib Aug 2018 #123

When my dad "passed" Peachhead22 Aug 2018 #22

Now I'm not going to know WHAT to say. Rorey Aug 2018 #56

It's more like annoying. I prefer direct, no-nonsense science in a medical report from one Aristus Aug 2018 #87

The older I get Rorey Aug 2018 #94

I Think In General RobinA Aug 2018 #146

Absolutely agree Rorey Aug 2018 #154

Well last month, 31 July 2018, my GWC58 Aug 2018 #126

I'm so sorry for your loss, GWC58. Lars39 Aug 2018 #161

Thank you GWC58 Aug 2018 #166

Makes for hard times, but you're among friends. Lars39 Aug 2018 #167

Yes! GWC58 Aug 2018 #169

Sorry for your loss Peachhead22 Aug 2018 #165

We are a death denying society backtoblue Aug 2018 #25

I say "died." However, when speaking to those who are grieving, I MineralMan Aug 2018 #33

I agree, was adding to my post when you responded backtoblue Aug 2018 #34

Thanks. MineralMan Aug 2018 #38

Interesting thought on this. Oneironaut Aug 2018 #164

I believe the proper saying is gtar100 Aug 2018 #30

LOL, you win too! Rorey Aug 2018 #57

I can handle "passed" better than I can "they slept together" SharonClark Aug 2018 #36

The sleeping part Rorey Aug 2018 #59

Sorry but I must quote Monty Python bronxiteforever Aug 2018 #39

lol oasis Aug 2018 #64

Speaking of Monty Python...John Cleese moderated a forum on life after death a few months ago: highplainsdem Aug 2018 #65

Cool and thanks! Bookmarking for listening tonite! bronxiteforever Aug 2018 #69

omg Pining for the Fjords......thank you for the reminder peekaloo Aug 2018 #119

They were brilliant. bronxiteforever Aug 2018 #141

Depends on the person, depends on the circumstances ismnotwasm Aug 2018 #41

I share your peeve. GoCubsGo Aug 2018 #42

Some of these terms may be spiritual, but not religious, Ilsa Aug 2018 #44

Inhumed? Off to the Great Beyond? Let people express themselves. Hekate Aug 2018 #45

Maybe around the time toilets became "rest rooms?" DFW Aug 2018 #46

If I need to excuse myself to pee Rorey Aug 2018 #60

Recently In London RobinA Aug 2018 #149

Actually, most European countries just use the word toilet in one form or another DFW Aug 2018 #153

People use the term that gives them the most comfort. Siwsan Aug 2018 #47

The power of language. "Dead" is blunt, unfeeling and specific only to the body. nolabear Aug 2018 #48

I agree. I am not religious but I am sensitive to the power of language. smirkymonkey Aug 2018 #58

I was in insurance and financial services. gibraltar72 Aug 2018 #52

And why call it "life insurance" anyway? Rorey Aug 2018 #62

Short answer people wouldn't buy death insurance. gibraltar72 Aug 2018 #86

Have you not noticed that here on DU pet owners commonly post PoindexterOglethorpe Aug 2018 #53

This is why: highplainsdem Aug 2018 #61

Odd? I find it hilarious. Voltaire2 Aug 2018 #68

Better than other terms sarah FAILIN Aug 2018 #55

Bought the farm? lillypaddle Aug 2018 #71

I prefer: Transition MagickMuffin Aug 2018 #72

When my father died several years ago... SeattleVet Aug 2018 #73

They went to the great thesaurus in the sky. dameatball Aug 2018 #74

Moved on, took retirement, left the theater gulliver Aug 2018 #75

Agree apcalc Aug 2018 #76

The usages date back centuries muriel_volestrangler Aug 2018 #79

Shakespeare and Chaucer were poets. Aristus Aug 2018 #90

When somebody in your family is dying, the word death is never far from your mind planetc Aug 2018 #81

My parents were Canadian... ailsagirl Aug 2018 #82

The doctor you quoted sounds like an former doctor of mine Jake Stern Aug 2018 #83

The doctor is writing about what a nurse is saying in professional setting LeftInTX Aug 2018 #96

"The patient died" is hardly medical jargon. nt. Mariana Aug 2018 #168

I used to see or hear "Time of death" LeftInTX Aug 2018 #171

Have you ever "put down" a pet or did you execute it? Kaleva Aug 2018 #85

i killed 'em Hermit-The-Prog Aug 2018 #117

It may sound Victorian, but to me those terms seem less harsh. NT raccoon Aug 2018 #89

Those are nothing compared to some I've heard. Initech Aug 2018 #92

I'm reading a lot of valid and interesting opinions. And I'm glad so many have weighed in on this. Aristus Aug 2018 #93

So... RobinA Aug 2018 #150

People who just experienced the loss of a loved one fescuerescue Aug 2018 #98

This wasn't a conversation between a provider and a patient's family. Aristus Aug 2018 #101

strange that two medical providers fescuerescue Aug 2018 #136

I think the doctor in question simply wanted to head off any bad habits. Aristus Aug 2018 #155

Yea that's fine fescuerescue Aug 2018 #162

Dropped the flesh. Equinox Moon Aug 2018 #100

Ewww StarryNite Aug 2018 #131

Personally I think passed is the right word kimbutgar Aug 2018 #102

I can relate. StarryNite Aug 2018 #132

One person's "cutesy euphemism" is another person's "not being an insensitive prick" nt Rob H. Aug 2018 #103

I see multiple headlines using "dies" and not "passes away" oberliner Aug 2018 #104

My use of the term "croaked" will raise an eyebrow from time to time. WheelWalker Aug 2018 #110

Reminds me of the movie Patch Adams backtoblue Aug 2018 #113

+ 1 million. MBS Aug 2018 #114

Incredibly small stuff. I just can't be concerned. WillowTree Aug 2018 #115

I've had an epiphany after reading this thread. llmart Aug 2018 #116

"Crotch crickets" is still acceptable clinical terminology, though, right? n/t sl8 Aug 2018 #118

I use it all the time... Aristus Aug 2018 #120

"Bought the Big Ticket"? lastlib Aug 2018 #121

For a truly great collection of euphemisms, see The Parrot Sketch. Crunchy Frog Aug 2018 #128

Amen! Jane Austin Aug 2018 #129

It's always been that way more or less, Raine Aug 2018 #130

Well ... area51 Aug 2018 #133

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World... Mike Nelson Aug 2018 #137

Expired is the correct medical term LeftInTX Aug 2018 #173

Look on the bright side: when you yourself die stopbush Aug 2018 #140

Passed away is fine RhodeIslandOne Aug 2018 #144

Get on board the "One Word, One Meaning" wagon LanternWaste Aug 2018 #147

I seem to be able to figure each one of them out. NCTraveler Aug 2018 #148

This is nothing new. MicaelS Aug 2018 #151

When my mom died, one of my daughters daycare workers said "She passed through the veil". woodsprite Aug 2018 #152

Years ago I worked in a bank in a predominantly leftyladyfrommo Aug 2018 #156

B/c people often use euphemisms for things that make them uncomfortable. Oneironaut Aug 2018 #163

I was phonebanking last month LeftInTX Aug 2018 #170

I prefer saying "ventured into the shadow realm". nt Jamaal510 Aug 2018 #172

It's a euphemism ailsagirl Dec 2020 #174

I have DU friends in the real world. Aristus Dec 2020 #175

I don't know where I found this thread ailsagirl Dec 2020 #176