authentic = 'realistic in one's attitudes'

[Ronald Butters]

I meant "sort of Orwellian" as a sort of lazy reference to the novel _1984_ in which words are used in a way that empties them of their original meaning. Not a 100% accurate usage (which is why I said 'sort of'). Yoou could say In was using "Orwellian" sort of the same way that JL's self-improvement author was using "authentic"--to summon up a nebulous family of assocaiotons.
On Jan 23, 2011, at 9:16 PM, Joel S. Berson wrote:

> I suppose the antonym is "be ersatz".  Or in words of one syllable,
> "be real" or "be fake".  But I don't see "be authentic" as Orwellian
> -- it seems quite ordinary and understandlable to me.  On the other
> hand, "be ersatz" ... well.
>
> Joel
>
> At 1/23/2011 08:21 PM, ronbutters at AOL.COM wrote:
>> 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
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------
>> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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