People are never a bit upset and mildly inconvenienced when a bus service changes or the lift is out of order, they're devastated, trapped and stranded. When there's a mistake on their gas bill they're not a bit surprised and then glad when it's sorted out, they're shocked, dismayed and horrified then hugely relieved.Food manufacturers don't release a new flavour, instead it's an exciting new recipe or unique taste sensation. Products are never quite a good idea which might be useful, they're innovative and life changing.
TV programmes are never quite amusing, they're always hilarious and slide-splittingly funny. Presumably 'they' watch the director's cut, leaving me with the version which got slightly lost in translation ... either that or I'm just a complete and total misery. Yeah, could be that.
Here's a picture of a deadly poisonous fungi I risked life and limb to photograph for you. Or, without the hyperbole, here's a fungi which might not be good to eat and which was growing on a slope of wet grass, meaning that had I not been careful I could have slipped a bit as I walked up to it.
18 comments:
Hi Patsy - I totally agree .. most funny programmes I can't see where the joke is ... and food - what's new ... they just up the prices, lower the content and sprinkle something on it - let's go back to wholesome food cooked fresh .. and your mushroom - we never know the dangers - was there a banana skin too nearby?! Cheers Hilary
Yesterday I was on top of the world. It was my birthday. Today I am at death's door. I drunk a lake of wine last night in honour of myself and St Patrick. I quite like the hyperbole, they are a common feature of the Norfolk dialect, but a bit cliche- ed, if that's a word even!
Very well said, Patsy. I particularly loathe the pop ups on Facebook or similar that announce 'You'll be AMAZED /SHOCKED at....' when the content is quite ordinary, even boring. Having said that I do use hyperbole myself. The bus had a million passengers on it, or the entire population if China was at Angkor Wat when I was there (well it did seem like it).
I was taught that exaggerations were when the concept was possible but inflated but hyperbole was technically impossible but got the point across.
The things you do for us, Patsy! And had it been raining you could have been soaked to the skin, or you might simply have got a bit damp.
I'm so glad you didn't somersault and break your everlovin neck!
Ah. Just my kind of post. I quite agree, Patsy. Another word which is wildly overused is 'stunning'. Estate agents just love that word. Stunning kitchen, stunning views, stunning location. Has anyone ever been stunned by a kitchen? And if you're looking for a horse to buy, they are all stunning, even the ugly ones.
Fortunately no banana skin, Hilary - and I dodged all the cow pats!
Belated birthday wishes, Patrick. Does the date have anything to do with the name you were given? (I'm a March baby and sometimes get asked if there's a connection to St Patrick, but there isn't in my case.)
Those annoy me too, Lindsay. I'll decide for myself how amazing the silly Youtube clip is, thank you very much!
Personally I never ever exaggerate anything - as I've said a million times before.
I'm glad you appreciate my efforts, Christine.
Me too,, Mac!
A kitchen or horse which did actually stun anyone who got close enough for a look doesn't sound like a good buy to me, Frances.
Ps I'm sure you know this already, but the opposite of hyperbole is litotes. Another good word.
I didn't know, Frances! It's going on my list - thanks!
I caught sight of the word CRISIS on the front page of a tabloid today. Oh no, what's happened, I wondered. An earthquake or hurricane? Another terrorist attack? A new, deadly disease? No, it was just something about someone leaving a pop group ...
Mind you, I was guilty of hyperbole when I did some copywriting for business websites. How else can you make a plumbing company sound exciting?
Spot on. And the trouble with hyperbole is the inevitable description inflation. How do you top a superlative?
I know you were just having to do as the client wanted, but why should a plumbing company sound exciting? Exciting plumbing sounds a very bad idea to me. It's the same with insurance and washing powder and toothpaste. We don't need to be thrilled and stunned - we just want a reliable product.
I'm ranting again, aren't I?
You're right. If customers are stunned and amazed by the magnificence of the competitor's loaf of bread then the one we're selling has to put them into a coma for a week and leave them permanently disorientated.
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