“Pretending we are all separate but equal conceals the the effects of real power and capacity, real wealth and influence. You describe everyone as having the same chances when actually some people have more chances than others. And with this cheating language of equality, deep inequality is allowed to happen much more easily”.

The late and much-lamented Tony Judt, quoted by Nick Cohen in a fine column about how euphemisms in British politics “mask a savage attack on the menatally ill”.