When did "passed" replace "died" -- and WHY?

[Anonymous]

It's such a confusing use. I hear that someone passed, and I'm like "... a kidney stone? an intersection?"

When I was a kid, the country folk used to say "passed away," but it was very definitely a hick thing. And now "passed" all by itself.

Why have so many well-read and otherwise well-spoken people taken up this sloppy speech? What's the objection to "died"?

[Anonymous]

Some platforms flag “died” posts. So people use alternative words. Jeff flags some words like this here, it is fairly normal….but please don’t block “died,” Jeff!

[Anonymous]

I absolutely hate it. Just say died. Can't answer your question though. I agree it sounds old-fashioned, immature, and weird. I think peole think it sounds more polite but it sounds just completely stupid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I absolutely hate it. Just say died. Can't answer your question though. I agree it sounds old-fashioned, immature, and weird. I think peole think it sounds more polite but it sounds just completely stupid.

No, it’s for social media filters.

[Anonymous]

You sound like an ass.

[Anonymous]

In 15th century England.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some platforms flag “died” posts. So people use alternative words. Jeff flags some words like this here, it is fairly normal….but please don’t block “died,” Jeff!

But people say it IRL! More often than the actual word, it seems. I fear that "died' is going to become old fashioned or, I dunno, crude, and "passed" is going to become the norm.

[Anonymous]

Just wait until you find out about the term unalived!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some platforms flag “died” posts. So people use alternative words. Jeff flags some words like this here, it is fairly normal….but please don’t block “died,” Jeff!

But people say it IRL! More often than the actual word, it seems. I fear that "died' is going to become old fashioned or, I dunno, crude, and "passed" is going to become the norm.

OP asked why people are making this change. The answer is social media filters. That flows into other areas and common practices as well. Read Foucault.

[Anonymous]

Some think that “dead” and “died” sound harsh. “Oh your family’s all dead?” doesn’t have the comforting tone that’s, perhaps, intended. I think people may get stuck between “passed on” and “passed away” and even “crossed over” — so they stop at “passed” to avoid saying something that feels wrong.

Language isn’t static, so if well-read and well-spoken people have shifted to this usage then perhaps it’s not generally seen as “sloppy”.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in DC and “passed” was very common. Maybe it’s regional?

[Anonymous]

I hate it as well. It already feels like there’s such a taboo around death, and this word makes it even worse

[Anonymous]

I always say died, but I've always been very blunt and literal.

The only person who could convince me to use a different word when talking with them, would be my dad when talking about my dead mother, because he was much closer with her. than I was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in DC and “passed” was very common. Maybe it’s regional?

Agree this is part of it. My (wealthy, well-educated) southern relatives say passed.

We in the New York branch say died.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in DC and “passed” was very common. Maybe it’s regional?

Agree this is part of it. My (wealthy, well-educated) southern relatives say passed.

We in the New York branch say died.

Huh, my experience is different. My mom's wealthy, snobby deep-south family insists on "died." My dad's midwestern farmer folks said "passed away" when they were trying to be polite, but "died" for daily use. Or in the case of that one simpering aunt who collected Precious Moments figurines, "gone to Jesus."

(No one says "passed")