Today I received the following "decline" from my colleague in India:
"One of my colleagues in Delhi expired yesterday due to heart attack. I am rushing to his cremation now. Please excuse me for today's 2pm meeting."
I wonder how - in his search for the appropriate English - did he settle on "Expired"? It's a little Orwellian.
Euphemisms are tough in a foreign language. Even still, Expired is a weird resting place .
And speaking of resting places ... what's with the rapid cremation? It's as if the guy collapsed onto a fire and they had no choice but to stoke it and ask people to hurry.
