Nix the phrase, "lose weight"

jewol

Generally, semantic games are just that -- games. For example, does an auto dealership really believe that "pre-owned vehicle" deceives anyone? C'mon, it's a "used car." "Downsized" or "let go" is fired. "Enhanced interrogation" is torture. A "courtesy reminder" is a bill.

Having said that, though, I believe there is one locution we should banish from our vocabularies. I say we should stop saying we "lose weight" and opt, instead, for "shed pounds." "Lose weight" is far too passive. Unlike the euphemisms above that try to soften or, even, obscure the truth, the phrase "shed pounds" is far more suggestive of the discipline and hard work needed to reduce the waistline. "Losing" suggests an accidental or unintended eventuality. Few activities are more purposeful than exercise and governing one's diet.