Problems arise from a perspective that "potential is a taboo or code word for failure."

这种“潜力是一种禁忌或失败的代名词”的观点，很容易出现问题。

youdao

In the past, even mentioning the word "death" was believed to bring bad luck, and preparing one's own funeral while still alive was a major taboo.

在过去，即便仅仅提到“死”这个词也被认为会带来不好的运气，而在一个人活着的时候便操办他的葬礼更是一个重大的禁忌。

youdao

Taboo words can be mildly offensive to extremely offensive, and people will often use a more mild euphemism to replace a swear word when in mixed (or unknown) company.

禁忌词汇的程度可能从轻度污蔑到严重污蔑，人们一般常会在复杂(或者不明)的场合下，用温和些的婉转语来代替粗口。

youdao

The French word for austerity, rigueur, remains taboo on both left and right.

ECONOMIST: France's public finances

And for the record, I'm using the word gay interchangeably with homosexual for the sake of conversation, because it really is a shame for perfectly good word pertaining to happiness to get associated it with the cultural taboo.

NPR: Year in Review: Homosexuality in the Headlines