Some words are stomped while...

Coberst wrote:


"Liberty" is a word that I find myself regarding as more and more sinister whenever I read it or hear it used. I think it's been put up on a pedestal, particularly by this administration, but when I read the thoughts of the people who most often choose to use it, it seems to have acquired a different patina and underlying meaning, as in "You will experience liberty- whether you want to or not." Same with "democracy". They both have begun to carry vaguely threatening or slightly tarnished connotations in light of recent history.

"Cleansing" is an example of a word that was once positive, but strikes almost a frightening note when I read or hear it now. It used to connote a spirit of refreshment or purity (in a good way) - now it's just scary. I used to picture a fountain of water and the revival of spirit from within. Now I picture a blackboard being wiped clean-as if something's been erased, removed from the face of the earth and out of existence.