Focusing on Words Newsletter #13
(the thirteenth newsletter of a series that was formerly presented to subscribers by the Sr. Scribe, a.k.a. John Robertson)
“I never write metropolis for seven cents because I can get the same price for city. I never write policeman because I can get the same money for cop.”
Related to the Obfuscation Chart is this list of “Translating Politgabble” by a teacher named William Lambdin of Colorado:
- Decentralizing the Government: Akin to dehorning a herd of stampeding bulls.
- Fact-Finding Trip: A mission during which a candidate discovers the alcoholic content of drinks made in foreign countries.
- Government Reform: a plan for tennis courts, swimming pools and rooftop restaurants in congressional office buildings.
- In the National Interest: Used to express the preferences of Wall Street and Chase Manhattan Bank.
- Lunatic Fringe: A geographic term designating the coastline of California.
- Ship of State: An over-inflated rubber raft hurling out of control down a huge, economic drain.
- Urban Renewal: Relocating the ghettos; for profit, of course.
- Viable solutions: The used baptismal waters of officials in power.
- War Against Inflation: A limited war, like that fought in Vietnam and Korea, which the government has no intention of winning.
- Whirlwind Campaign: The important word in this phrase is wind.
- Will of the People: An expression not heard when politicians talk of their own salaries.
Words
There are words that make us
Shudder, wince:
Wormwood, persimmon,
Alum, quince.
There are words that soothe
And tranquilize:
Slumbering, rainbows,
Butterflies.
There are words that tighten,
Words that roil:
Tension, turmoil,
Chaos, spoil.
There are words that shimmer,
That beguile:
Stars, ships, peacocks,
Firelight, smile.
And always, words
That make life full:
Love, laughter, home,
Peace, beautiful.
—E.B. de Vito