From our master grammarian and resident logophile Angstrom Dickinson:
If you put two opposite words together, you have an oxymoron. I come across one of my favorite oxymorons almost every day when I buy coffee at 7-11 – I get a cup of their “regular exclusive” coffee.
Some of my other favorite oxymorons are the following:
Clearly confused
Act naturally
Small crowd
Passive aggressive
Only choice
Original copy
Random order
Unbiased opinion
Student teacher
Now, with the Trump administration, we have a new phenomenon. Trump, his cabinet and staff, and the GOP continually say one thing and mean the exact opposite. For example, when someone claims, “I never spoke to the Russians,” he really means “I spoke with the Russians.” When Paul Ryan said that the GOP healthcare bill was “an act of mercy,” he was actually communicating that it was anything but. When Sean Spicer declares anything emphatically, he regularly means the exact opposite. One example: Trump’s “was the largest audience to witness an inauguration, period.”
This practice of saying one thing and meaning the exact opposite reminded me of Emmett Lee Dickinson’s now classic poem, “’Tis opposites – suffice” (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem “’Tis opposites – entice” (below on the right).
If you put two opposite words together, you have an oxymoron. I come across one of my favorite oxymorons almost every day when I buy coffee at 7-11 – I get a cup of their “regular exclusive” coffee.
Some of my other favorite oxymorons are the following:
Clearly confused
Act naturally
Small crowd
Passive aggressive
Only choice
Original copy
Random order
Unbiased opinion
Student teacher
Now, with the Trump administration, we have a new phenomenon. Trump, his cabinet and staff, and the GOP continually say one thing and mean the exact opposite. For example, when someone claims, “I never spoke to the Russians,” he really means “I spoke with the Russians.” When Paul Ryan said that the GOP healthcare bill was “an act of mercy,” he was actually communicating that it was anything but. When Sean Spicer declares anything emphatically, he regularly means the exact opposite. One example: Trump’s “was the largest audience to witness an inauguration, period.”
This practice of saying one thing and meaning the exact opposite reminded me of Emmett Lee Dickinson’s now classic poem, “’Tis opposites – suffice” (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem “’Tis opposites – entice” (below on the right).
| By Emmett Lee Dickinson: ‘Tis Opposites – suffice – Deformed Men – with straight Face – Are liars – they Blanket us – With Lies – Bold faced – We’re Blind – by their deceit And all they state – and held Captive – by trickeries – And scheming – Truth’s – withheld – They lack – integrity – Tho’ their Duplicity – Is all I See – | By Emily Dickinson: 'Tis Opposites – entice – Deformed Men – ponder Grace – Bright fires – the Blanketless – The Lost – Day's face -- The Blind – esteem it be Enough Estate — to see – The Captive – strangles new – For deeming – Beggars – play – To lack – enamor Thee – Tho' the Divinity – Be only Me – |
The practice of deception is so routine with the Trump administration and the GOP that we thought it needed its own term, and we think we've coined the perfect word to describe it: "Trumpsamoron." Trumpsamoron is a blend of “Trump” and “Oxymoron," and it describes when one uses words, phrases, or statements to convey the "truth" but actually means the exact opposite of what is stated. Trumpsamoron is the perfect way to describe the regular communications on the part of Trump and his administration.
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