In other words , we may try to sugarcoat it . And that is our expression for today -- “sugarcoat .” When you sugarcoat something you try to make it more pleasant or acceptable than it really is . You try to make an event or situation seem not so bad . So , you don't share all the upsetting or otherwise bad details . It might surprise you to learn that a United States president was criticized for using the term “sugarcoat ” in an official message . I will tell you which one later in the program . But first , let's talk about the word “coat .” A coat can be a layer , such as a coat of paint . As a verb , “coat ” also means to cover something with a substance . So , you could say the walls were coated with a layer of paint . Sugar , as you know , is a sweet substance . It makes so many things taste good – things like cakes , cookies , pies , and candy . But sugar can also make things like medicine taste better too and therefore easier to take . So , medicine makers began adding sweet flavorings to their products to help people , especially children , take the medicine . Now , pills can taste bitter too . So , pill makers started doing the same . They began coating pills with a hard sugar coating . This made them easier to swallow . These days we use the term sugarcoat for actual sugar coatings and when we share news and information . Here is a quick example . Let's listen to these co-workers talk about their business . Okay , give it to me straight . How much money did we lose last year ? Let me start by saying … we'll make up our losses this year . I want numbers . How much did we lose ? All of it . We lost all of our profits from last year . That IS bad . You could have broken the news to me a bit easier . Now , back to our earlier question . Which U.S . president was criticized for using this informal term in an official address ? In a message to Congress on July 4 , 1861 , President Abraham Lincoln wrote : Often on this show we talk about whether a term or expression is formal or informal . Formal language is well suited for professional and official situations , such as a presidential address . Informal is the type of language we use with those close to us . Well , reportedly , some government officials at the time did not like President Lincoln's use of the informal term “sugar-coat ” in an official message . Also , reportedly , Lincoln didn't care . History.com experts claim Lincoln said , “The time will never come in this country when the people won't know exactly what sugar-coated means .” And he was right . Sugarcoat in all its forms remains commonly used and clear in meaning . Feel free to use it in any situation , even if it is formal . You will be in good company .