DEBASED: Tracking How Jewish Vocabulary Became Neutral, Sanitized and Secular – Part 2

Continued from Part One yesterday…

Original ExpressionSecularized Version
Golden RuleAltruism
RuleGovern
Harlot / etc.S*x worker
HeathenGentile
Heaven (or Purgatory)Afterlife
HeavenlyBeautiful
HeresyScientific theory / Free Thought
Holiness (Kedusha)Specialness / Significance
Holy DayHoliday
Holy matrimonyCivil union
HomosexualGay
Husband or wifeSignificant other / Life partner
Idolatry (Avodah Zarah)Materialism / Consumerism
ImmoralPersonal choice
Judgement DayDeath
KashrutEthical consumption / Conscious eating
Kiddush HashemGood example / Positive representation
KosherApproved / Proper
LazyLacks motivation
Living in sinCohabitation / Domestic partnership
LustLove
MankindHumankind
MeekWeak
Messianic timesUtopian future / Social ideal
MiraculousAmazing coincidence
MitzvaGood deed
MoralitySocial oppression / Discrimination
Mother \ FatherParent, etc.
Olam Haba (World to Come)Better future / Legacy
ParadiseUtopia / Ideal place
PerversionDiversity
PilgrimageJourney / Trip
PossessedCrazy / Under the influence
PrayPlead
Prayer / BlessingMoment of silence / Meditation
PrincipledExtremist
PrisonCorrectional center
Prophecy (Nevuah)Insight / Foresight
ProselytizePersuade / Advocate
ProvidenceLucky break / Fortune
PurityCleanliness / Hygiene
RabbiTeacher / Mentor
RebukeHate speech
ReckoningAccountability
Redemption (Geulah)Social progress
ReligionSpirituality / Superstition
RepentanceMaking amends
Repentance (Teshuvah)Self-improvement / Growth
Revelation (at Sinai)Cultural tradition / Wisdom
RighteousLaw-abiding
Righteousness (Tzedek)Social justice
Sabbath observanceWork-life balance / Digital detox
SacredRespected
Sacred duty (Chiyuv)Moral responsibility
SacrificeGiving up / Compromise
SaintlyWell-behaved
SanctifySet apart
ShepherdLeader / Guide
SinCrime / Lifestyle choice
Sodomite (generally)Gay, LGBT
Sodomite (in antiquity)Male shrine prostitute
SodomyEtc.
SolemnDignified
Son / DaughterOffspring
SoulSpirit
Soul (Neshama)Consciousness / Personality
Soul searchingSelf-reflection
TestamentRecord / Account
Thank God!Thank goodness
Thank HeavenThank goodness
The StateThe Government
TzaddikRole model / Good person
TzedakaCharity / Donation
TzniusBody-shaming / Internalized oppression
WickedAntisocial / Naughty
WitchcraftWicca / (Neo-)Pagan
With childPregnant
WorldlyMundane / Secular
YeshivaAcademy / School

Here is Part One of this article…


You may also want to read an engaging article on the Euphemism Treadmill.