Uncle Billy Thinks
From time to time I am struck by how the word
they is used. On its face
they simply refers to more than one person, but it has come to refer to a mysterious sinister group. We all use it this way. "
They are going to take our guns away." "
They are going to raise our taxes." Of course in this case we are referring to members of our elected government except, of course the ones we voted for. Using
they allows us to denigrate the group without identifying individuals. It saves time and requires a minimum of information.
There is another much used
they. This
they, in my way of thinking; definitely should have a "four letter word" status. It is used like a code word. It implies that those present understand who is included in
they, and that the group referred to is not present. It is efficient in that it allows the speaker to reinforce what he or she believes without specifically naming the group. Here are some examples of how "
they" is used:
They wouldn't help themselves if they could.
Aren't you afraid
they are going to take over?
They don't appreciate anything you do for them anyway.
They wouldn't work if they could get a job.
They just don't care.
They'd just piss it away.
They can't be trusted
They just don't take care of anything.
They just don't care.
While I have no intention of not using four letter words(it has taken me a lifetime to develop my skill with them) I will in the future consider my new four letter word and consider it's intent before using it. I hope you will too.