Inane Words, Terms, and Fallacies - by Hénock Gugsa

 

Inane Words, Terms, and Fallacies
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by Hénock Gugsa
It is unavoidable, it is persistent, and it never fails to offend or aggravate. It is the abundance in our daily lexicon of silly and sometimes stupid words, terms, or labels to describe (?) or to represent things or ideas. Fortunately, most of these offenders go away as they wear away due to over-usage or to going out of favor. Old cliches get replaced by new ones. But the drumbeat never ceases as we are stuck with clueless politicians (tongue-waggers), nonreactive government bureaucracy, and the mindless and noisy media.

What am I ranting about now? Well, then, let me dive straight into it.

At the top of my list is the term: diaspora. What a stupefying and moronic word despite its lofty pretentiousness! It is a term currently used by petty dictators in third-world countries (and there is another doozy of a term) to describe thousands of expatriates. This group was either expelled or fled their homeland for political or economic reasons. Ironically, despite the animosity between the 'exiled' and the 'dictator', the former is propping up the latter by sending funds to families and friends in dire economic need. “Diaspora”, despite its simple Greek etymology, sounds like something that was regurgitated by a bovine.

Next is the word: alien. It is a term used by immigration bureaucracies to describe non-citizens. It does not matter if you are visiting or passing thru. A short or a long stay will require the “alien” to have proper documentation, and the authorities are not really trying to find out what “planet” the visitors came from or if they have antennae sticking out of their heads.

Here is a puzzling word: confab. Yes, it is short for confabulation, and means chat or discussion. But in its abbreviated form, does it not sound banal or even mildly negative in its informality? Can you take any news of a confab somewhere seriously? “Confab” is definitely an inane word, in my opinion.

“PC” – is a term I personally prefer to exclusively stand for personal computer. However, there is a solid contingent of social architects for whom “pc” means “political correctness.” Personally, I think the latter term’s use and over-use has been the most irritating thorn in current social mores. It has resulted in so much negative political outcomes. The public is openly and justifiably rebelling against any patronizing and/or suffocating set of social commandments dictated by “pc”.

Micromanaging (or micro-manager) – to me represents an inefficient person who neither trusts his/her colleagues nor is satisfied with the work of others. A micro-manager is even sometimes found meddling in some areas in which he/she has zero expertise. Pity the over-worked specialist who has to waste his/her time giving tutorials to the tiresome micro-manager!

Lastly, for now, I have for you the word: indigent. A supremely infrequent yet euphemistic term meaning the poor and the destitute, it nonetheless evokes an image of a weed-like plant. Oh, well, at least an indigent is not an alien … or is it? :)