Gah.

[lierdumoa]

Okay, help. I'm drawing a total blank here. Does someone know what you call a word that sounds nice, but represents something really not nice? (i.e. friendly fire -- when you kill your own men in combat, etc.)

It's just on the tip of my brain.

ETA: Thanks labyrinthan_elf!

Had a trippy assed dream last night. And it was good. Only I can't remember any of it. Just that it was good. And trippy.

Comments

[paddies.livejournal.com]

Does someone know what you call a word that sounds nice, but represents something really not nice? (i.e. friendly fire -- when you kill your own men in combat, etc.)

It could be an oxymoron.
I don't know if it's exactly what you wanted, but it does applies to your exemple... :)

[lierdumoa.livejournal.com]

No. An oxymoron is generally a two word term in which an adjective contradicts the nature of the noun it modifies. I'm thinking of when a single noun is used to define a concept and yet sounds not nearly as threatening as the concept it is defining. Like when people use the term compulsory because it sounds nicer than saying obligatory.

[patientalien.livejournal.com]

Euphemism?

[lierdumoa.livejournal.com]

Yes! Thankyou!

[patientalien.livejournal.com]

Anytime. ;)