Grammar lesson

 

Like other rallying cries, such as “Lock Her Up” and “Build That Wall,” “Stop the Steal” is a slogan used by the former president and his supporters that features single syllable words and is easy to remember and repeat endlessly. The difference, however, is that “Lock Her Up” and “Build That Wall” are grammatically correct phrases, while “steal” is not a noun and therefore cannot be “stopped.” We might ask people to “Stop The Laughter” but we would not ask them to “Stop The Laugh.” What are some grammatically correct alternatives? He could have suggested stopping any number of activities:

 

stealing thieving larceny thievery robbing pilfering pilferage purloining shoplifting burglary raid holdup

appropriation expropriation misappropriation embezzlement dacoity rip-off smash and grab snatch heist stickup peculation

Perusing this list, you can see why “stop the steal” became the phrase of choice – it has a certain charm that the others lack.

This got me to thinking about Joe Biden’s rallying cry, “Build Back Better.” I find it a rather awkward phrase. I suppose that political slogans and campaign themes do not have to be written in textbook English. At the same time, at least “Build Back Better” would seem to be a proper use of the English language. It is an example of the imperative mood, where the subject is implied, just like “Make America Great Again” or “Just Do It.”

It turns out that Biden did not coin this catchphrase. It was first employed to describe recovery plans after the massive Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. The slogan refers to processes designed to recover from a catastophe by rebuilding the affected area, and making it even better than it was before the disaster struck.

In the context in which it is used, it seems to be a solid slogan. The alliteration is catchy, the phrase is precise and to the point, and it aptly describes the nature of the undertaking: all of which can also be applied to “Stop The Steal.”

Of course, all of this is rather moot. There was no “steal” here. Like a baseball game your home team loses, the score is what it is. You may go home disappointed but you have to live with it.

Meanwhile, stay healthy and warm.

Love,                                                          

Rebecca