Remember the adjective “democratic,” as in “Democratic Party” or “Democratic Senator” or “Democratic National Committee”?
Does it bug you when someone drops the “ic” from “Democratic” Party? I remember noticing when Bush Jr. used to do it, and I hear the current president doing it too. Somehow, “Democrat” used as an adjective sounds more disdainful, doesn’t it?
For sixty years, on and off, it seems that certain Republican friends across the aisle have been purposefully messing with the term. You can trace back a line from Trump to Bush to Gingrich all the way to Joseph McCarthy. What a team! According to an ancient NPR post, some Republicans bristle at the suggestion that the Dems are more “democratic,” or “of the people,” than the GOP, which is why they abandoned it as a descriptor. It’s also suggested that since Democrat-as-adjective displeases Democrats, this is another good reason to do it. It’s a nice little jab.
Look, I know that language evolves — I’m an English teacher for cripesakes! — and as long as partisans keep wittingly or unwittingly confusing the term, they will win at ultimately making “Democrat” an acceptable alternative adjective — like their alternative facts. It’s a small victory for them, but it does erode the “Democratic” brand.
What can we do about it?
Keep using the correct version, of course, but also look for places where we can undermine their most sacred expressions. Here’s one.
“Executive Time”
Whenever you leave the bathroom, be sure to point out that you were having some “executive time.” Their big boy term needs to be thoroughly ridiculed.
What have you got?
You can trace back a line from Trump to Baby Bush to Gingrich to Joseph McCarthy. Ick!
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