According to Plutarch, it was Solon who invented political euphemism.

Now later writers observe that the ancient Athenians used to cover up the ugliness of things with auspicious and kindly terms, giving them polite and endearing names. Thus they called harlots "companions," taxes "contributions," the garrison of a city its "guard," and the prison a "chamber." But Solon was the first, it would seem, to use this device, when he called his cancelling of debts a "disburdenment."

See http://makeashorterlink.com/?K2EB52D94. Not actually the translation I'm reading, but it links to the Greek text if you want to compare the various terms.

Bingley

I see they got into creative accounting, too: For he made the mina to consist of a hundred drachmas, which before has contained only seventy-three, so that by paying the same amount of money, but money of a lesser value, those who had debts to discharge were greatly benefited, and those who accepted such payments were no losers.
Um--I take it that Solon was a person?

Yep. Respected by the ancient Athenians as a lawgiver whose constitutional system made the Athenian democracy possible.

For a brief intro. to his life and times, see http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa010201a.htm

Bingley

And his name is eponymically used for lawmakers today.

his name is eponymically used for lawmakers today Oh? Do people say, "Solon--and thanks for all the fish"?