Monday, August 23, 2010
Phillips "Democrat Lobbyist" v. "Democratic Lobbyist": Tips for a New Tennesee Blogger
Posted by Betsy Phillips on Mon, Aug 23, 2010 at 5:21 PM
For the longest time, I spelled Murfreesboro "Murphreesboro." Until one day, another local blogger said, "Oh, ha ha, that's so funny." And I was all "what?" and she was all, "You're not doing that on purpose?" And I was all, "Oh, lord, I have been inadvertently dumbassing up the Internet and no one told me."
Years, people, for years I spelled it "Murphreesboro," and for years I guess people were just like, "Oh, that poor Betsy, she just doesn't know better." I still cringe a little.
I feel that way for the blogger at Lame Duck Lobbyists, which is a website I honestly cannot wait to see get going. You know someone, somewhere, knows who all is fucking whom on the Hill and I'm as prurient as the next person. Gossip away, anonymous blogger. Warn Republicans away from the Democratic tramps who will lead them ast...
Right, this brings me to my point. It's "Democratic." Writing "Democrat lobbyists" over and over makes you look like an idiot. See, here's the thing. It's two nouns in a row, like "lollipop guild." The lollipop guild is not a guild made up of lollipops; they are Munchkins devoted to the art of dancing with lollipops.
And you don't mean lobbyists who lobby Democrats, you mean lobbyists who are secretly Democrats. You need an adjective — Democratic.
Watch: "What are these Democrat lobbyists up to when they think you are not looking?" answers itself. They are lobbying Democrats.
"What are these Democratic lobbyists up to when they think you are not looking?" Ooo, that's a mystery in need of an anonymous blog to answer it!
And that would be you!
Good luck! And welcome to the neighborhood.
Comments (8)
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And the fact that they use DEMOCRAT instead of DEMOCRATIC gives them away as TNGOP trolls.
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Oh, Betsy (sigh),
I am happily married and must love you from afar, but with this post you have won my heart. I have cringed at this abuse of language for years without confronting it. My fear has been I'd solidify its use among those who think it a clever way to patronize Democratic voters. Thanks for doing it the correct, apolitical way. That is, pointing out it is simply wrong.
Steffens is right. Republicans are famous for incorrectly using the word "Democrat" when the correct usage calls for "Democratic" -- ie, "Tennessee Democrat Party." They don't do this because they are morons. They do this because they think it irritates Democrats. They will get off on Betsy's post for years.
Republicans think "Democratic" is too nice a word for the opposing party. The trouble is they don't realize that, while "Democrat" is a noun, "Democratic" is an adjective. "Republican" is both a noun and an adjective.
Tom, I am tickled to be loved from afar. And it works out for you, too. You get to stay with your lovely wife and you don't have to smell the farts of the dog who is often very near me.
Dru, is that really the reason? I have to say, while I think that's hilariously dumb, I'm glad to know there is a reason behind it. I have been sitting here thinking they'd just gone stupid. But they're making a point! Okay, I can respect that.
Another important lesson: If you're going to insult someone, make sure they know it's an insult and not just evidence of your failure to pay attention in English class.
Does Lame Duckie allow comments? Couldn't see any way to, but TNGOP trolls don't like anyone to talk back, I guess.
Someone who lobbies Democrats would be a Democrat lobbyist, just as someone who sells snake-oil would be a snake-oil salesman, not a snake-oily salesman.
