Relating to or fitted for the production of good offspring through controlled breeding.

The word *eugenic*, like the name *Eugene*, includes the Greek root meaning “born” (see GEN). Breeders of farm animals have long used eugenic methods to produce horses that run faster, for example, or pigs that provide more meat. Through *eugenics,* Holstein cows have become one of the world's highest producers of milk. But eugenics also has a dark side. The idea of human eugenics was taken up enthusiastically by the Nazis in the 20th century, with terrible consequences.

An agreeable or inoffensive word or expression that is substituted for one that may offend or disgust.

The use of euphemisms is an ancient part of the English language, and perhaps of all languages, and all of us use them. *Golly* and *gosh* started out as euphemisms for *God,* and *darn* is a familiar euphemism for *damn. Shoot, shucks,* and *sugar* are all *euphemistic* substitutes for a well-known vulgar word. *Pass away* for *die*, *misspeak* for *lie*, *downsize* for *fire*, *senior citizen* for *old person*—the list goes on and on.

A strong feeling of well-being or happiness.

*Euphoria* is the feeling of an intense (and usually temporary) “high.” Doctors use the word for the kind of abnormal or inappropriate high spirits that might be caused by a drug or by mental illness, but euphoria is usually natural and appropriate. When we win enough money in the lottery to buy several small Pacific islands, or even just when the home team wins the championship, we have good reason to feel *euphoric.*

(1) A formal speech or writing especially in honor of a dead person. (2) High praise.

With its *-logy* ending (see LOG), *eulogy* means literally something like “good speech.” We are told to speak only good of the dead, but a *eulogist* actually makes a speech in the dead person's honor—or often instead for someone living, who might actually be there in the audience. The most famous eulogies include Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Pericles' funeral oration for the Athenian warriors; but these are only two of the many great eulogies, which continue to be delivered not only at funerals and memorial services but at retirement parties, anniversary parties, and birthday parties.

An imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives.

*Dystopia* was created from Utopia, the name of an ideal country imagined by Sir Thomas More in 1516. For More, the suffix *-topia* meant “place” (see TOP), and *u-* (from the Greek root *ou*) meant “no,” but also perhaps “good” (see EU). In other words, More's Utopia was too good to be true. It's probably no accident that *dystopia* was first used around 1950, soon after George Orwell published his famous novel *Nineteen Eighty-Four* and 16 years after Aldous Huxley published *Brave New World.* These two are still the most famous of the 20th century's many depressingly *dystopian* novels. And what about all those bleak futuristic films: *Blade Runner, Brazil, The Matrix,* and the rest? What does it mean when no one will paint a picture of a happy future?

A disturbance or interference with the ability to read or to use language.

Dyslexia is a neurological disorder that usually affects people of average or superior intelligence. *Dyslexic* individuals have an impaired ability to recognize and process words and letters. Dyslexia usually shows itself in the tendency to read and write words and letters in reversed order; sometimes similar reversals occur in the person's speech. Dyslexia has been shown to be treatable through patient instruction in proper reading techniques.

(1) Relating to or suffering from indigestion. (2) Having an irritable temperament; ill-humored.

*Dyspepsia* comes from the Greek word for “bad digestion.” Interestingly, the Greek verb *pessein* can mean either “to cook” or “to digest” ; bad cooking has been responsible for a lot of dyspepsia. Dyspepsia can be caused by many diseases, but dyspeptic individuals are often the victims of their own habits and appetites. Worry, overeating, inadequate chewing, and excessive smoking and drinking can all bring on dyspepsia. Today we generally use *dyspeptic* to mean “irritable”—that is, in the kind of mood that could be produced by bad digestion.

Abnormal development of cells or organs, or an abnormal structure resulting from such growth.

Of the dozens of medical terms that begin with the *dys-* prefix, *dysplasia* (with the suffix *-plasia*, meaning “development”) is one of the more common, though not many nondoctors know it. Structural dysplasias are usually something you're born with; they often involve the hip or the kidneys. But cell dysplasia is often associated with cancer. And a *dysplastic* mole—a mole that changes shape in an odd way—is always something to be concerned about.