About this quote

Language often hides the harsh reality of human conflict behind polite labels. We use soft terms to make terrible events sound orderly and managed. When you actually stop to dissect the words people throw around, the contradictions become obvious. Why do we accept these verbal tricks without questioning them? Look past the shiny phrasing next time you hear a political debate.

When to use it

• You whisper this to your sister at the Thanksgiving table while your uncles smile through clenched teeth during a passive-aggressive argument about the family business.
• You write this in your notebook during a corporate meeting where the executives describe a hostile department layoff as a 'friendly restructuring.'
• You use this as an icebreaker during a tense college group project when your teammates start arguing over who gets to edit the final slides.