Northern Ireland’s political doublespeak…
IN the wake of Arlene Foster’s ‘minded’ statement to approve another party member’s planning application (although it’s a ‘mind’ she changed), Claire Simpson has been exploring some of Northern Ireland’s political doublespeak. I didn’t realise Hugh Orde coined ‘fit for purpose’, although, let me be clear (Gerry Adams/ Danny Kennedy) that – in the round (Mo Mowlam?) – the reality is (Martin McGuinness?) there are probably a few others that are far more meaningless – though Slugger arguably has developed its own tired phraseology [Ahem, indeed - Ed]. Even the once-funny ‘Chuckle Brothers’ monicker is more likely to raise weary eyes to the heavens than a laugh. Are there any other political phrases you, like Ian Paisley Jr, might ‘know of’? If so are you minded to add to the translations below the fold?’In the round’ – I’ve listened to everyone else’s view, and decided I was right all along.
‘The reality is…’ – Here’s my own narrow view.
‘Historic event’ – An everyday occurrence in Northern Ireland.
‘I know of him’ – He’s my best mate.
‘Let me be clear…’ – I’m about to do a u-turn, while arguing that this was my position the whole time.
Shouldn’t “I know of him” be translated into “He’s Santa”?
Perhaps this will improve the quality of debate:
Chidren to take over Stormont Assembly
Orde did not create the phrase “fit for purpose”. This is a phrase in common legal usage – refers generally (or most commonly) to sale of goods and the grounds for revocation of a sale of goods contract or compo. It has been around a long time before Orde…
in case anyone wondering why the link – i understand that it became part of “political” language when governments started refering to us as “consumers” and therefore their services as “goods”.
That’s great news, Nevin. Should greatly increase the quality of debate.
Is Papa Doc spending too much time in the company of Irish nationalists. Today I heard him label NI, the ‘North of Ireland’
PS If only it had snowed the Gillespies could have clodded him!!
‘Northern Ireland land of political doublespeak’
Gonzo, your header should qualify as the understatement of the 21st century
The Romans worshipped Janus (he of the two faces)
Norn Iron goes at least several faeces better .With Paisley’s 8 , Adams at least 4 and MMcG another 4
‘ A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country ‘
“faeces”
Freudian slip?
The family motto is SEY ON and we’re dyslexic
Seymour? say no more.
never in the IRA=I was oc Ballymurphy
I am all in favour of the Irish Language but…..
Arlene Foster has pointed out that she never said she was “minded”. She said that she instead said she was “of a mind”.
When Gerry Adams uses “obviously” it is usually interesting. Such as “obviously, when I say guns will be decommissioned I mean all the guns”
Has anyone else noticed that Martin McGuinness very often starts off a reply with “over the course of the last number of weeks and months…” as a way of filling in time while he gets himself ready to answer a question?
That is a common method that most people use (not just politicians) when presented with a novel question. Similar to hmm etc.