authentic = 'realistic in one's attitudes'

[ronbutters at AOL.COM]

Of course "it" is not in the OED! This is just a sort of Orwellian use an impressive-sounding buzz word as a way of allowing the supposed sage to babble. He could just as well have said "be responsible" or "be fundamental" or "be respectful" or any of a number of emptied slogans. Sheesh!

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 23, 2011, at 5:31 PM, Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> A self-improvement author on CNN just now was explaining how to bounce back
> from setbacks.  Rule Number One is, "Be authentic."  This was so important
> that the words replaced the people on the screen for several moments.  But
> it was clear from the discussion that "authentic" meant 'realistic,' or at
> least 'candidly truthful with yourself.'  Being "authentic" meant not
> assuming that there's something horribly wrong with you personally, "being
> humble," etc., etc.
>
> At any rate, not in OED.
>
> JL
>
> --
> "If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org