Dictionary of Republicanisms: The Indispensable Guide to What They Really Mean When They Say What They Think You Want to Hear (Nation Books) (Paperback)

~ Katrina vanden Heuvel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

George W. Bush, a self-proclaimed straight-talking Texan, has been roundly lampooned for his weak grasp of the English language: "subliminable," "resignate," and transformationed" being only a few of his malapropisms. As ridiculous as Bush sometimes sounds, we shouldn't underestimate him or the right-wingers who put him in power, because they never say what they mean or mean what they say.

Over the past few decades, the radical right has engaged in a well-funded, self-conscious program of Orwellian doublespeak, transforming American political discourse to suit their political ends. "Private accounts" became "personal accounts." "Massachusetts liberal" was used to slur John Kerry's record. And their "compassionate conservative" tax cuts were neither conservative nor compassionate, unless you happen to be a Republican fat cat.

Sick and tired of their sinister deceptions, celebrated Nation editor Katrina vanden Heuvel set out to explode their verbal gymnastics by asking her readers to suggest satirical definitions of Republican jargon. The result was a grassroots groundswell of hilarious submissions from Americans who are mad as hell and aren't going to take it any more. She has collected the best in this very funny and very necessary book.

About the Author

Katrina vanden Heuvel is editor and publisher of The Nation. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Nation Books (October 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156025789X
• ISBN-13: 978-1560257899
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #718,042 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious! And All Too True! , November 29, 2005

By	cameron-vale "cameron-vale" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

The best way to deal with disturbing situations is to laugh at them. The Republican Party routinely utilizes code words and phrases that seem to imply one thing but in reality are meant purely to deceive. This has been truly infuriating to liberals and moderates intelligent enough to see through the rightwing's intentional duplicity, but now there is Katrina vanden Heuvel's wonderful THE DICTIONARY OF REPUBLICANISMS to help us see the humor in an increasingly sad state of affairs.

'The Nation' magazine requested assistance in compiling a code book revealing the true meanings of the more common Republicanisms, and thousands of definitions were received from across the country. The very best of them have been compiled in this book. Some of these entries are undeniably hilarious, while still being an absolutely accurate representation of how Republicans think:

"girly men n. Males who do not grope women inappropriately."

"honesty n. Lies told in simple declarative sentences -- e.g., 'Freedom is on the march'."

"staying the course interj slang: Saying and doing the same stupid thing over and over again, regardless of the result."

Like Ambrose Bierce's classic THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY, this is a wickedly funny, if painfully true, masterpiece of political satire. Highly recommended.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Amusing Republicanisms, February 25, 2006

By	Joan David (Hemet, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a life-long liberal Democrat, I purchased this book in order to have a good laugh at the conservative Republicans beliefs. Unfortunately, some of the outrageous beliefs and actions of the current Bush Administration are not really that funny.

However, some of the submissions to the book are very telling and for anyone who is not happy with the events in Washington, this short book (it really is only a dictionary!) will validate the concerns felt by many Americans today.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A reference book for off-the-wall Republicanspeak., January 30, 2006

By	G. Haley "geotenn" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Have this witty book at hand each and every time you hear or read comments by Republican leaders, especially at the national level, so that you can discover what they really mean. A great collection of humorous definitions that unfortunately occasionally ring true.