Changing the Language

Filed in National by on May 14, 2009

After reading yesterday’s post about how the Republican Party is going to vote on a resolution to rename the Democratic Party to the “Democrat Socialist Party,” I realized how much Republicans have changed our language, just in 8 short years.

Did you know that…

  • “spreading democracy” now means invading another country
  • “Clear Skies” means allowing polluters to determine how much to pollute
  • “fiscal responsibility” means tax cuts for the rich
  • “socialism” means liberalism
  • “fascism” means stuff I don’t like
  • “harsh interrogation” and “enhanced interrogation” take the place of torture
  • “patriot” means dissenters should STFU as long as there is a Republican president but talk of secession when a Democrat is president
  • Though, I really think we should go further. I propose the following:

  • enhanced interrogation will henceforth be known as “happy puppy hour”
  • detainees will now be referred to as “houseguests”
  • tax cuts for the rich will now be referred to as “apple pie”
  • George W. Bush will now be called “ChurchillTrumanReagan”
  • moderate Republicans will now be called “endangered species”
  • former Republicans will now be called “untouchables”
  • Doesn’t it make you feel less angry already? I know I feel better. How can I be angry that Republicans are proposing more apple pie? How can I be upset that we’re sending our houseguests to happy puppy hour?

    OK, time to propose your own “enhanced vocabulary.”

    About the Author ()

    Opinionated chemist, troublemaker, blogger on national and Delaware politics.

    Comments (16)

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    1. jason330 says:

      One of my favorite all time wingnutisms is:

      Pro-life: –adjective Meaning to favor the random killing people all over the globe, including but not limited to mentally ill prisoners, various and sundry brown skinned people, people whose political views are not far enough to the right and people who do not think that American fetuses are sacrosanct.

    2. anon says:

      “Reform.”

      When a Republican proposes “reform,” cover your groin and put one hand on your wallet.

    3. nemski says:

      family values: second or third wife

    4. anon says:

      In fairness, I haven’t heard a Republican use the phrase “family values” for years. Maybe they have a vestigial sense of shame after all.

    5. cassandra_m says:

      cut spending = transfer more tax dollars to businesses and rich people

    6. Tom S. says:

      Honkey please – “choice”, “marriage equity”, “affirmative action” – you invented this game, don’t get angry when we play it.

    7. a. price says:

      Tom-tard please. your game has and always will involve denying rights to people. dont equate our “word game” to your “discrimination jaunt’

    8. JimD says:

      “saving yourself for marriage” means “sodomy for everyone”

    9. jason330 says:

      Tom S.

      FAIL. (again…)

      The terms you chose are perfectly direct and clear usages. The wingnutia represent Orwellian perversions of the language. In fact, most wingnut lingo mocks the very notion that words can have a fixed meanings.

    10. Wow! Great suggestions by everyone!

      “Choice” is really about choice. Marriage equity really is about marriage equity.

      LOL@”family values”

      I’ve always hated the term “pro-life.” They talk about “innocent life” but don’t seem to mention the countless innocent Iraqi lives that have been taken by our war of choice.

    11. cassandra_m says:

      Who’s he calling a “honkey”? (spelling fail too)

    12. pandora says:

      Regiment = garden club? 👿

    13. you forgot being Gay = Pedophile

    14. Tom S. says:

      “The terms you chose are perfectly direct and clear usages”

      Really? No room for interpretation in “spreading democracy”?

      “I’ve always hated the term “pro-life.” They talk about “innocent life” but don’t seem to mention the countless innocent Iraqi lives that have been taken by our war of choice.”

      Good thing the president ended that war. I was really getting worried about that one.

    15. Good ones, pandora and DV. Yes, I forgot that if two consenting adults of the same sex are allowed to marry that means that men will start marrying box turtles or something.

      Tom, nice distraction play. FAIL!

    16. Rich Boucher says:

      My favorite of all of these coinages has to be Colin Powell’s “collateral damage”.

      Got to hand it to the conservative hawks – they really know how to obscure the truth!

      Tits or GTFO,

      Rich