The common explanation for euphemism is that allows plausible deniability.

I think that's not exactly right because the deniability is in no ways plausible.

I think what it does, though, it carries plausible deniability of common knowledge.

Even though you know what the request is or the solicitation, you don't know that the other person knows

that you know that they know.

And so the plausible deniability of common knowledge preserves the relationship type.

In the case of, say, a sexual come on, a platonic relationship, or in even more fraught

circumstances, if you have say a

Boston employee the formal hierarchical relationship of the workplace.

Okay.

I get to say I didn't mean it that way.

I get to say I didn't mean it that way.

Well, you do.

Although that's not so plausible.