Politicians are never short of a buzzword and the current offender, in the UK, at any rate, is “feckless”. Seldom heard in everyday conversation until recently, it is currently spouted with such frequency that even a parrot would consider it a cliché.
Shame because, when used sparingly and appropriately, as with most words, it works well. To describe a lack of vitality or effectiveness, it is perfectly effective; used responsibly, it can mean irresponsible. It also rhymes with reckless and that’s probably why the conservative element love it so, seeking every opportunity to reiterate it — usually followed by an insult, such as scrounger, or in relation to a condition, such as being young.
When a politician launches an attack on the feckless, they are being bold.
Bold, after all, is a synonym for cruel, heartless and callous. When a bold move is being made against feckless young scroungers, the person being bold is doing what needs to be done. It is the work of a strong leader. Someone to get us back on track.
Someone who’s only saying what we’re all thinking.
Image: Rodrigo Soldon
Article comments
1 - Jane Josselin
Interesting article with some valid points on the use of the word "feckless" by conservative politicians.
However, as a linguist, I would like to point out that your emotive argument the word "bold" is a synonym for cruel, heartless and callous is incorrect.