Political Euphemism Glossary

I wrote a post about how people use euphemisms to disguise the nature of what they are speaking about or to make objectionable subjects easier to accept. This is one of the primary tools politicians use to manipulate how an issue is defined and discussed. Because of this, I am building a non-partisan political euphemism glossary one term at a time so that you and I can more easily see through the oratory smoke screen. The list may never be complete but will build over time into a reference you can use to filter out the haze and identify a topic for what it is instead of what someone with a political agenda wants it to be.

Glossary

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13 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Michael Tyson // Mar 20, 2009 at 4:58 am

    links from Technoratiexpress self-importance. If one looks at politics, in particular, it can be argued that language is being used for the exact opposite of communication – to make concepts less comprehensible, to disguise facts. The most obvious examples are ‘enhanced interrogation‘ and ‘information extraction’, ’surgical strikes’ and ‘collateral damage’, ‘extraordinary rendition’, and ‘final solution’ – we love our euphemisms. Orwell had it right in 1945:

  • 2 letterhead // Jul 27, 2007 at 9:11 am

    Generic definition:

    To make wholesale changes to existing policies or
    legislation.

    Political definitions:

    1) to gut or eviscerate existing programs and policies
    because a) an aggrieved political heavyweight (and/or donor) seeks more
    favorable treatment (see “tort reform,” “Social Security reform,” “Medicare
    reform”) or b) because ideological imperatives demand restructuring of
    priorities and power dynamics (see: “welfare reform,” “judicial reform”); in
    all cases of reform, exemption from tracking consequences of such policy
    changes is mandatory2) to evade blame, shift blame, or appear holier-than-thou
    (see “ethics reform”)

     

     

  • 3 letterhead // Jul 27, 2007 at 9:12 am

    ooopsss… forgot to include the word!REFORM!

    Generic definition:

     

    To make wholesale changes to existing policies or
    legislation.

     

     

    Political definitions:

     

    1) to gut or eviscerate existing programs and policies
    because a) an aggrieved political heavyweight (and/or donor) seeks more
    favorable treatment (see “tort reform,” “Social Security reform,” “Medicare
    reform”) or b) because ideological imperatives demand restructuring of
    priorities and power dynamics (see: “welfare reform,” “judicial reform”); in
    all cases of reform, exemption from tracking consequences of such policy
    changes is mandatory

     

    2) to evade blame, shift blame, or appear holier-than-thou
    (see “ethics reform”)

     

     

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  • 5 calpoet // Jul 19, 2008 at 4:48 pm

    The newest and one of the most egregious euphemisms is “time horizon” for deadline.

  • 6 AP Language Summer '08: Orwell Lives // Sep 9, 2008 at 10:08 pm

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  • 9 G. hefflinger // May 3, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    What does “sitting duck” mean politically?

  • 10 G. Hefflinger // May 3, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    Wrong email the first time; sorry. What does “sitting duck” mean politically?

  • 11 Paul // May 3, 2009 at 11:44 pm

    Sitting Duck doesn’t have a particular political meaning.  In general, it means someone is an easy target or easy to take advantage of.

  • 12 Political Euphemisms | Reference.com // Jul 14, 2009 at 11:06 pm

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