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October 24, 2009

Most Odious Words/Phrases in the English Language: #8

Bear with me ... Number 8 probably wasn't on your list (yet).

But Here it is:

"The American People" -- Phrase used by liberal and/or cowardly politicians and pundits to describe Americans. Using "American" as an adjective instead of the damn noun that it is allows such scalawags to avoid calling people "Americans" -- a stronger word that conveys an identity in and of itself.

"American" needs no modifier or explanation, for it does both. But the purveyors of "people-speak" don't talk in terms of American identity. Hell, to them, the "American People" are humans who live within the border of the locale/cafeteria/mall/DMV office/dispensary called America.

Want some perspective? Try this on for size ... the Chinese People ... the Mexican People ... Who talks like this? How often do you refer to the French as "the French people?" We properly call people French, Chinese, Mexicans, Germans, etc.. You see, but these identifiers tell you where these people are from, and probably what race/nationality they are. But America and Americans -- the nouns -- say more, don't they? Thus, these terms are like garlic and crucifixes to libpunditry. Indeed, for plain ol' People are more important than to such pundits and politicians than mere Americans, who are tainted by virtue of living on this soil.

But keep in mind, usage of "The American People" does allow certain politicians and pundits to avoid confusing "the American People" with other equally important residents of America, i.e., American dogs, cats, parakeets, pet alligators, and, of course, "undocumented workers".

Hey, I am off this weekend to see Cutter, Jr. at The Liberal Factory (that would be college). Don't worry. I've waterboarded him since he was 6 in anticipation of this. He'll be fine. It's a beautiful October weekend here. Hope you have a great weekend.

Stay strong. God bless you Americans, America, and all of our great friends the world over who love liberty. See you next week some time ...

14 comments:

Woodsterman (Odie) said...

I know of one word that has to be on your list. I'll not spoil it for you though.

Ah yes "the American People" ... "We know what you want, and what's best for you."

Starsplash said...

I AAAAAAAm A MAN........ Fron teg movie "A man called Horse.

Opus #6 said...

Hmmm, I have been using this term and it never occurred to me. Thanks for bringing this up.

I know I was told in a seminar that when you are talking about a person with special needs, they are an individual with Down Syndrome, instead of saying they are a Down's baby or something like that. Words are powerful things.

Maria said...

Great commentary!
Will remember this ~ thank you for taking back the language...

Rhod said...

"The People" is an abstraction. The stink of power-speak is its only emanation.

But then again, individuals who think of themselves as chiefly part of a collective, like the smell of it.

Kid said...

Very Good ! Surprises always are.

DrewM said...

Greeting Nickie. This is my first visit to your marvelous blog. I love the give and take of your commenter's here. I as a republican I appreciate the intellectual comments of your conservative posters as well as the stupidity of the liberal ones.
I truly believe Obama is deliberately and ruthlessly advancing a ‘secret agenda’ to bankrupt our country and dramatically expand government control over all aspects of our daily lives. They view this effort in sweeping terms, and cast a successful Obama presidency as the destruction of the United States as it was conceived by our founders and developed over the past 200 years.

The rejection of the Fox News network and the attack on some of the of conservative media and pundits such as Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh, makes me suspect of this even more.
I’m anxious to hear your’s and your readers response.. And how long do you think it will be before I’m call a racist and other names...But that’s ok, it goes with the territory.

Anonymous said...

Starsplash, it's gotta be too early to be drinking.

Opie, no sweat. Just provoking thought here. Your point about Downs is a good one.

Rhod, that's another good angle (the collective). Excellent point. The People's Republic of the American People.

Wood, now I am feeling the pressure. The list is complete. We'll see if you are right.

And thanks, Kid, I freely admit that this is a bit counterintuitive and a challenge. There are so many subtleties in the language we use. As Opie points out, words are powerful.

Rhod said...

Drew, they've already called you a racist. You're not like they are.

I'm not as gloomy as you are about the agenda. They have an agenda, of course, but it's very difficult to unwind a stable society and weave it into something else in the span of an administration. They can create chaos, but not a new order.

IMHO, the left has been fantasizing about the arrival of a radical messiah like Obama for so long, that they're like adolescents with access to porn.

Opus #6 said...

Rhod, lmao! By jove, I think you've got it!

Anonymous said...

"The American People" must have a substrata that includes McCain's "My Friends".

Anonymous said...

Oh, shat ... i forgot 'My friends". Can we have a recount? Too late ... Stop tampering with the process, Nickie.

Time to bury the McCain campaign once and for all. When your VP nominee is drawing the crowds and firing up your party and base ... my friends, it's time to say night-night.

Soloman said...

My friends, as an Arizonan I can proudly tell you that this American will not be voting for John McAmnesty in 2010.

Excellent choice at #8, DC.

Rhod said...

McCain is fat-free mayonnaise on spackle sandwich.