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Snarky political slang

What if...?

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Does anybody here know if there is a name being used for that annoying "snide term for everything" behavior we're seeing so much of lately? Things like:

"Libtards"

"Tax cheat Tim"

You know what I'm talking about.

Is it some kind of mnemonic trigger thing?

A neologism is one thing, coining a new term to describe something specific that current terms are inadequate to express.

Nasty nicknames and derogatory imagery isn't surprising either.

But they're pretty uniformly adopted. Like code so you'll know who the other "cool" kids are. And often confusing in debate, like throwing in obscure terms from a foreign language.

Frankly, I stop reading posts when it becomes clear the poster indulges in this habit.

You might as well talk to a POST as reply to a post from someone who does this, in my experience.

Anybody know/have thoughts about this?:2wave:
 
rethugs.

republicants.
 
Is that a yes?
 
Yeah, my latest [cross-eyed haze] goes to "True Believers." Not only do I not see anything after, but whatever went before is erased. Funny, that.
 

That's language. We hear a phrase, it later pops up in our own speech. I notice myself doing it here and elsewhere. I'll use a phrase and see it pop up in someone else's post, or in conversation, used by the person I'm conversing with.

On the "I stop reading posts when..." thing, I stop when I see, "Having said that" or "That said..." People seem to use it as a means of sounding more literate or thoughtful. I see it on other boards more than this one, but it always makes me click or scroll elsewhere.
 
The Kenyan Tyrant.

Barry Soetoro.

Any of about 1000 variations on "I used to be a Liberal once..."
 
rethugs.

republicants.

'Zackly.

Tax cheat Tim was the one that inspired this post, libtard always sounds like a slur against libertarians to me.

Wasn't trying to single out, but it does seem more prevalent from the right.

I try to be specific even when using shorthand, and I try to capitalize where appropriate.

The words we use are important, and expressing distain and contempt for the other side doesn't seem like an effective strategy.

Nowadays I just find someone who is saying something so badly that it will alienate independents and even compatriates and then figure out how to get them to say it over and over and over.:mrgreen:
:2wave:
 

I use those myself, occasionally. But only when I'm about to say something that's gonna elicit a knee jerk response, in an attempt to avoid said response.

Like if I'm going to criticize an ASPECT of capitalism and I don't want to be misunderstood as being anti-capitalism, for instance, I'll preface my point with a disclaimer followed by a "that said".

But I can see your point and I think I keep it to a minimum.:2wave:
 
The Kenyan Tyrant.

Barry Soetoro.

Any of about 1000 variations on "I used to be a Liberal once..."

Those are examples.

Do you know if there is a specific term being used to describe this behavior?

Or do we get to make one up?:mrgreen:
 

Like I said, I don't see it so much here. I guess it pops out at me more when it seems out of place. The manner of usage you just described is perfectly appropriate.
 
One thing that Rush does (wait, don't quit reading) is air montages (is that the plural for montage?) of the catch phrases picked up by different news sources over the weekend. There'll be a dozen different reporters that'll all use the same phrases. A couple I remember were:

Republican's holding something "hostage"

"Constitution Fetish" was used for about a week.

I wish I could think of more off-hand.

BTW, Tim Geithner really is a Tax Cheat.
 
Like code so you'll know who the other "cool" kids are. And often confusing in debate, like throwing in obscure terms from a foreign language.

I like snarky, it's fun. I also like obscure terms from a foreign language (eg. "she's so popular").

Don't cry too much.
 
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It's from a sub-culture, really more of a dialect; however, let's not talk too much in front of them.
 
Those are examples.

Do you know if there is a specific term being used to describe this behavior?

Or do we get to make one up?:mrgreen:

In fairness, Mr. V has beaten me soundly about the head and shoulders for "claiming" to be a republican for most of my adult life (which goes hand-in-hand with my 'alleging' that I was a fundamentalist Christian from 14-40+, so go figure).
 
I like snarky, it's fun. I also like obscure terms from a foreign language (eg. "she's so popular").

Don't cry too much.

True snark is fun. However, that happens at a very low rate by comparison to the lame stuff.
 
'Zackly.

Tax cheat Tim was the one that inspired this post, libtard always sounds like a slur against libertarians to me.

1) I always thought it was a rephrase of retarded liberals.

2) It's an insult to the developmentally disabled. Not much of anybody uses the word 'retard' anymore except people who a) don't care or b) don't know any better. Or some combination thereof.
 
I see it like this...

We must identify our 'opponent' or, let us say, the opposing viewpoint. This is necessary to do away with a lot of background baggage than can be laid open by identification of the viewpoints. It allows us to get to the philosophical crux of the debate. Why not liven it up a bit with a lil derogatory language? Where's the harm?

2) It's an insult to the developmentally disabled. Not much of anybody uses the word 'retard' anymore except people who a) don't care or b) don't know any better. Or some combination thereof.

I think it is like the oriental thing. I can write oriental thing, correct? I didn't write person. I didn't mean people. Ok? Anyway, one cannot be expected to go with libentally disabled. Hmm... Maybe I could get PC.
 
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It has the opposite effect, that being muddying the waters. It's pretty much exactly like the old SNL with Dan Ackroyd. "Jane, you ignorant slut." When did he say that? When he had nothing. When she was winning.
 
Rather like this.
 
guilty here
teabaggers
reich wing
mKKKain
all seem to get the other side's panties in a wad
OP (or others) explain to me why that is a bad thing

and it is not a recent activity
here are newt's notes:
 
guilty here
teabaggers
reich wing
mKKKain
all seem to get the other side's panties in a wad
OP (or others) explain to me why that is a bad thing

and it is not a recent activity
here are newt's notes:

You're liberal, so it's okay. The OP only notices it when it comes from the right.
 
It has the opposite effect, that being muddying the waters. It's pretty much exactly like the old SNL with Dan Ackroyd. "Jane, you ignorant slut." When did he say that? When he had nothing. When she was winning.

I get that, but belittling others can be fun.


I am un chien andalusia.



ps. No one tell WhatIf what that means, k?
 
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Like I said, I don't see it so much here. I guess it pops out at me more when it seems out of place. The manner of usage you just described is perfectly appropriate.

I usually use the phrase "Having said that" when I'm about to introduce a contradiction of some sort, or a comparative statement of some kind...a clarifying point, even.. For example, "I don't support government mandated vaccinations. Having said that, I would still seek out most of the government recommended vaccinations.
 
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