Customer Reviews

The Superior Person's Field Guide to Deceitful, Deceptive and Downright Dangerous Language

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Unlike the previous three books in this David R. Godine series, The Superior Person's Field Guide to Deceitful, Deceptive & Downright Dangerous Language is not meant solely to amuse the reader. In today's modern era when words are carefully chosen to soften the severity of what they represent, such as "extraordinary rendition" for flying prisoners to faraway countries where they can be tortured, or "transit pouch" to induce more complacency with regard to human casualties than "body bag" would, there is a greater need than ever to remain alert to insidious verbal trickery. In an era when "peace" means "war" (i.e. "pacify" means "invade and subjugate by force of arms") and "life" means "death" (as in "life insurance"), George Orwell's warnings against the misuse of language in his dystopian classic 1984 are perilously close to coming true. Of course, plenty of less deadly serious entries such as "squirrel" for psychiatrist (because they "feed off nuts") are also present for comedic relief. Perhaps the most eye-catching entry is the long list of deceptive terms used in real estate, with accompanying translations: "leafy neighborhood" means "forest fire area", "price slashed" means "was way overpriced to begin with", and "starter" or "investment" means "a normal person would not want to live here". Highly recommended.

The older Fowler, that is: not the new abomination bearing the name. Mr Bowler's 'Superior Person's' guides are delightful, and this one does not disappoint. Here we have an illuminating insight into the abuses and misuses of the language, most specially needed in this interminable election year.

This should be required reading for anyone who writes or reads resumes, especiallt page 77. Management has many words and phrases that are not defined and not even concepts but rather they are the tinklings of Pavlov's bells.