10.13.08
Dead parrots and dead-on parody
I like to pretend sometimes that the word euphemism is really a contraction of the phrase “euthenasiac optimism,” kind of a killer blindness. In many cases, euphemisms should pass away . . . no, euphemisms should die.
Or maybe crash.
For a crash-course in weasel wordery, I encourage you to visit JohnnyB’s Late for the Sky entry on a particularly topical euphemism. I shall say no more than that, so as not to telegraph any punch lines. Not that you can truly telegraph JohnnyB’s witty, insightful (and inciteful), creative perspective.
Long aside alert: JohnnyB and I were fellow writers for the recently retired Gary Burbank radio comedy show, broadcast out of Cincinnati and for a time syndicated nationally. The show was very successful, I might add, winning national awards and lasting more than two decades in Cincinnati and for years in other markets before that. JohnnyB and I were ourselves along for the ride for most of those two-plus decades. John started not long before I did, and when the show ended with Burbank’s voluntary retirement, the final comedy bit aired was, of course, John’s. So, I offer high praise for my submitted final comedy bit for the show, which was rejected even though it was much funnier than his, and curse the jackass for topping me once again. Hummph! End long aside alert.
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and 
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JohnnyB said,
October 13, 2008 at 11:31 am
Bill, thanks for your comments about my parroty parody and for sending folks over to my site.
On Burbank’s show I was successful most often with parody while you made up more original stuff. So I curse you and blow my nose at you and fart in your general direction.
Bill Brohaugh said,
October 14, 2008 at 6:36 am
Ni!