Non-offensive substitute for a swear word


What term describes a non-offensive substitute for a swear word?


For example, Battlestar Galactica used frack instead of fuck. Another example is the use of snap instead of shit.


I think I may have heard a single-word term used to describe such alternate non-offensive words before, but I don’t know what it is.



Answer



The general term for these is euphemism.



The use of a word or phrase to replace another with one that is considered less offensive or less vulgar than the word or phrase it replaces.



Edit: just found another term: minced oath. I've never actually heard this term used, mind you, but still, it's a closer match than plain "euphemism".


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