WOSU Open Line, NPR, April 2, 2009 [audio:https://ralphkeyes.on-forge.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/anderle_040209.mp3|titles=anderle_040209]
Suspicious Sounds Bites?
US Airways Magazine Patrick Henry’s patriotic demand, “Give me liberty or give me death!” is often quoted by freedom seekers today because of its urgent eloquence. Many great sound bites like this one have become quotable quotes too good to pass up, whether they’re about sports (Leo Durocher’s “Nice guys finish last”), or taking responsibility …
Booklist
In his excellent introduction to this language book, Keyes defines retrotalk as a “slippery slope of puzzling allusions to past phenomena,” allusions that employ terms he refers to as “verbal artifacts,” or phrases that hang around in our national conversation long after the topic they refer to has vanished from memory. Hard as it may …
Euphemism of the Week
During NPR’s “On Point” show, a guest referred to cows in feed lots so crowded that they must stand in their own “substance.” Host Tom Ashbrook called this substance “product.”
Charlotte Observer
Speaking euphemistically Ever ponder how much we rely on euphemisms? I didn’t, until I dipped into “Euphemania” (Little, Brown; $24.99), a new book sure to delight language lovers. The book, by Ralph Keyes, explores how we use euphemisms as stand-ins for words that evoke fear, unease or embarrassment. And, best of all, it offers hundreds …
Twitter Reading “I Love it When You Talk Retro” by Ralph Keyes … by flickering candlelight