How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic (2006)

Loaded words 107

be forgetful or negligent; they may be steadfast or unyielding;

they may be confident or arrogant. Many of these terms are

subjective: they depend for their accuracy on the feelings of the

observer and on how he or she interprets the situation. A fair

argument requires a conscious effort to put forward the case in

terms which are reasonably neutral.

Once again Britain has been found sucking up to dictatorships.

(Or maintaining friendly relations with strong governments. Note

how 'found' implies that they were discovered in a guilty secret.)

The judge's bench, as he directs the jury, is good territory for
loaded words to roam on. English law, through a tiresome
oversight, gives the jury the right to decide the verdict. Many a
judge will help to fill this gap in legal procedure by choosing
words to help the unfortunates in their deliberations.

Are we to believe the word of this snivelling, self-confessed pervert, or

that of a man whose reputation is a byword for honour and integrity?

(If you had thought of doing so, this is a good point at which to

change your mind.)

There is a series of verb conjugations which brings out the
different loading a speaker will apply to words describing him,
the person he speaks to, or an absent third party. Thus: 'I am
firm; you are stubborn; he is a pig-headed fool.'
Descriptions of contests can invite us to take sides by the
choice of terms, rather than by the events they report.

Scotland stole a goal in the first half, but England's efforts were well

rewarded in the second half when...