Periphrasis (per-if’-ra-sis): The substitution of a descriptive word or phrase for a proper name (a species of circumlocution); or, conversely, the use of a proper name as a shorthand to stand for qualities associated with it. (Circumlocutions are rhetorically useful as euphemisms, as a method of amplification, or to hint at something without stating it.)
She’s pulling another Hillary!
Pre-Democratic Primary Election, she keeps talking about New York as if she’s been here since the 17th century! The “as if” factor is wearing thin. I, for one am tired of listening through the vague repetitive references to aspects of Hillary that I, as a New Yorker am supposed to identify with.
The “Hillary” she’s pulling regarding New York is the “I was your Senator . . .” move. Yes, it’s a fact. She was my Senator, but without being reminded, I don’t remember anything that happened on her watch aside from the fact that everybody knew she was using her elected office as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. For all the time it’s taken her to step off the New York Senator stone, she might as well have made New York a hiking trail to the moon. But really, what the heck did she do for me when she was senator?
Oh–thank you Google!
Hillary sponsored 363 bills! Three became law. Perhaps the least memorable bill to become law was “A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2951 New York Highway 43 in Averill Park, New York, as the ‘Major George Quamo Post Office Building’.” Just in case you’re wondering what the other two are:
Kate Mullany National Historic Site Act
A bill to designate a portion of United States Route 20A, located in Orchard Park, New York, as the “Timothy J. Russert Highway”
3 for 363! I think I may just have Bernied Hillary (look up all the stats)! I must admit though, I do like the Tim Russert Highway! Too bad Bernie.
Oh–I just thought of another piece of pre-primary Hillarying: Hillary’s trying to Hillary New York with her NY residency thing!
We’ve all heard the cliche “A house is not a home.” Even though it’s a mansion in Hillary’s case, I would like to know how many days per year she spends there chilling with The Billster. I know it can’t be less than zero, but I don’t whether it’s more than that.
Hillary: Is your “residence” in New York a house or a home? That is, shouldn’t you call New York your House State rather than your Home State?
Hillary. Hillary. Hillary. It’s an innuendo crescendo! An allusion collusion! A salami tsunami! (I can’t think of a word that rhymes with “baloney”)
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Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).
. We’re batting .000.
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