Quote: "Take whatever idiot they have at the top of whatever agency and give me a better idiot. Give me a caring idiot. Give me a sensitive idiot. Just don't give me the same idiot." Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish near New Orleans, speaking to CBS about FEMA Chief Michael Brown
Figure of Speech: diaphora (die AH for ah), repetition that describes a person
Diaphora is Greek for "distinction" or "difference." It names a kind of person with a repeated word. ("Boys will be boys.")
In ancient Greece, by the way, idiot meant non-voter. Would America be led more competently if we had fewer idiots?
Snappy Answer: "It shouldn’t be hard to find one."
Got a snappier answer? Email Figaro.
Thanks to Sherry Chester for the quote. If you find something that needs figuring, don't hesitate to email me. --Fig.