WIST Quotations

Martin, Judith -- Star-Spangled Manners, ch. 1 (2003)

Dave — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 19:43:02 +0000

The pejorative term “political correctness” was adapted to express disapproval of the enlargement of etiquette to cover all people, in spite of this being a principle to which all Americans claim to subscribe.

Judith Martin (b. 1938) American author, journalist, etiquette expert [a.k.a. Miss Manners]
Star-Spangled Manners, ch. 1 (2003)
(Source)

Silverman, Sarah -- The Daily Show (15 Feb 2023)

Dave — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 18:48:50 +0000

I think we’re just communicating wrong, because, like, what I know “woke” to mean is, like, learning new things about people or the world, and then acting accordingly. Like, basic kindness. Maybe a gesture of care to people who are more vulnerable than you. You know what, actually, you wouldn’t like it. It’s Jesus stuff.

Sarah Silverman (b. 1970) American stand-up comedian, actress, writer
The Daily Show (15 Feb 2023)
(Source)

Pinker, Steven -- “The Game of the Name,” New York Times (5 Apr 1994)

Dave — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 20:04:23 +0000

To a linguist, the phenomenon is familiar: the euphemism treadmill. People invent new “polite” words to refer to emotionally laden or distasteful things, but the euphemism becomes tainted by association and the new one that must be found acquires its own negative connotations. “Water closet” becomes “toilet” (originally a term for any body care, as in “toilet kit”), which becomes “bathroom,” which becomes “rest room,” which becomes “lavatory.” “Garbage collection” turns into “sanitation,” which turns into “environmental services.” The euphemism treadmill shows that concepts, not words, are in charge. Give a concept a new name, and the name becomes colored by the concept; the concept does not become freshened by the name. (We will know we have achieved equality and mutual respect when names for minorities stay put.)

Steven Pinker (b. 1954) Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, linguist, author
“The Game of the Name,” New York Times (5 Apr 1994)
(Source)

Lehrer, Tom -- “In His Own Words: On Life, Lyrics and Liberals,” Washington Post (3 Jan 1982)

Dave — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 03:09:26 +0000

As for language, almost everything goes now. That is not to say that verbal taboos have disappeared, but merely that they have shifted somewhat. In my youth, for example, there were certain words you couldn’t say in front of a girl; now you can say them, but you can’t say “girl.”

Tom Lehrer (b. 1928) American mathematician, satirist, songwriter
“In His Own Words: On Life, Lyrics and Liberals,” Washington Post (3 Jan 1982)

Gervais, Ricky -- Tweet (12 Oct 2013)

Dave — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 00:21:36 +0000

Just because you’re offended, doesn’t mean you’re right.

Ricky Gervais (b. 1961) English comedian, actor, director, writer
Tweet (12 Oct 2013)
(Source)

Sterne, Laurence -- Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 12 (1760-1767)

Dave — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:54:25 +0000

For every ten jokes, thou hast got a hundred enemies.

Laurence Sterne (1713–1786) Anglo-Irish novelist, Anglican clergyman
Tristam Shandy, Book 1, ch. 12 (1760-1767)