It sounds like you&#x27;re describing the phenomenon of the &quot;Euphemism Treadmill&quot; [1], the canonical example of which is the previously-acceptable term &quot;retarded&quot;.<p>1: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;englishcowpath.blogspot.com&#x2F;2011&#x2F;06&#x2F;euphemism-treadmill-replacing-r-word.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;englishcowpath.blogspot.com&#x2F;2011&#x2F;06&#x2F;euphemism-treadmi...</a>