I really need your help!!!

[VeroniK]

Hello to everybody! I'm from a senior student at the Linguistic University from Russia and I'm carrying out a scientific research on the topic "English euphemisms in the sphere of human beings' vices". In connection with it, I have a couple of questions, cause it's really difficult to find some acute information on this topic, especially the way native speakers consider vices in their society. Thank you for your help in advance, you will really save my life and my research! So, my questions are:
1. What vices exist in your society?
2. What is the most negative vice in your opinion, which you try to veil when speaking about it?
THANK YOU A LOT!!!

[jno]

I'm not sure this question is heading in the right direction. Euphemisms don't normally exist to cover up vices, just embarrassments. They're most common in the field of sex and excretion. But crimes, for instance, don't usually have euphemisms, at least none that I can think of off the top of my head.

You could perhaps try posting this question in Society & Culture and/or Body & Soul as well - you might get more answers there than under Science.

[VeroniK]

Thanks a lot. But according to the scientists who work in this area, euphemisms are used not only to veil sex and excretion. Even crimes, lying, drunkenness, drugs and etc. have their own euphemisms. But thanks for advice. I'll post my question in Society & Culture if I don't get any answers from here))

[jno]

yes, that's true, there are many euphemisms for drunkenness, I'd forgotten that. Not for drugs, I don't think - though individual drugs have slang names, they aren't euphemisms.

[VeroniK]

I'm sorry but the question is not about the sphere of euphemisms use but about vices. If you can answer this question, please, do it. If not then I'm sorry

[karenmac60]

Blootered, puggled and moroculous are some Scottish euphamisms for drunk.

[VeroniK]

Thank you a lot! But I don't need euphemisms))) I just wanted you to innumerate some vices which exist in your society! And to say what vice is the most negative. Perhaps u haven't read my question till the end

[VeroniK]

And thanks a lot to EDDIE51!!!

[boxtops]

VeroniK I think we have read your post to the end and the people who have responded have listed some vices and the euphemisms we use to describe them. This question is very subjective, what one person or group considers a dreadful vice might be acceptable in another environment. You surely don't want us just to list drinking, smoking, gambling, sexual aberrations, larceny, murder, etc - sadly these vices are common in society in most parts of the world. I thought you were asking us to describe how we refer to these in our (i.e. UK) society by the use of euphemisms - perhaps I am wrong.

[VeroniK]

Yes, I see your point. But.. I really need you just to innumerate vices and to single out the most negative from your point of view. I know that it could be subjective, but the more answers I get the more objective the picture will be. Why I'm asking exactly these questions, though as u say that vices are the same in all countries... because there is no certain borderline between VICES and SINS, that's why I want to see how native speakers see vices themselves. As for the euphemisms, I have 3 dictionaries of euphemisms, that's enough))) But anyway thanks to those who has spent time on reading and answering my question))

[jno]

I think 'sin' is a word most often encountered in the Bible and may refer to a personal characteristic (envy, greed, or whatever) whereas a 'vice' involves actually doing something, rather than just being something. I suppose smoking and drinking too much are the most commonly thought-of vices.

[VeroniK]

Thanks.