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Figaro rips the innards out of things people say and reveals the rhetorical tricks and pratfalls. For terms and definitions, click here.
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« And Medicaid Won’t Pay for the Surgery | Main | Happy Holidays? I’ll Show You Happy Holidays. »
Friday
Dec092005

The White House Says More Research Is Needed

DateFriday, December 9, 2005 at 09:02AM
chickenlittle_1.jpgQuote:  "This time, the sky really is falling." Ad for the movie "Chicken Little."

Figure of Speech:  paraenesis (pah RAY nuh sis), the Chicken Little figure.

The paraenesis (Greek for "exhortation") warns of impending doom.  It's the favored figure of fundamentalists, global warmists, virologists, and the Attorney General.

Why do you need to know its name?  So that you can say to a pessimist, "Don't be such a paraenesist."  Terms like this offer endless ways to annoy people.

Snappy Answer:  "Quick! Renew the Patriot Act!"

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