The National Party's Dictionary

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The National Party uses a dictionary that is foreign to mine because it obviously has different meanings for a number of words. I have used the meanings from my large Reader's Digest 'Word Power' dictionary (written in conjunction with with the Oxford Press) for a comparison:

Anthropogenic Climate Change

RD/Oxford Press: originating in human activity

National: Gerry Brownlee, "...is an interesting concept." Bill English, "...we should uncritically follow the the Green's extreme views about these things, well, many of us don't."

 Conservation:

RD/Oxford Press: Preservation or restoration of the natural environment and wildlife.

National: "Conservation leadership for a prosperous New Zealand."  (Victoria Forest Park)

Consult

 RD/Oxford Press: Seek information and advice from, or seek permission or approval from.

National: Just telling others what will happen (Phillipstown School, Woman's Refuge, Gisborne District Council, Education profession).

House

RD/Oxford Press: A building for human habitation.

National: An aspirational possibility only for many and a source of capital gain for a few.

Mothering 

RD/Oxford Press: Look after kindly and protectively.

National: Unless you are a beneficiary and the child is over three years.

Poverty

 RD/Oxford Press: The state of being very poor.

Paula Bennett, National: "...actually children move in and out of poverty at times on a weekly basis."

Rivers 

RD/Oxford press: A large natural flow of water traveling along a channel to the sea, a lake or another river.

National: Something for wading and boating and irrigating dairy farms.


I got the idea from Ambrose Bierce's classic The Devil's Dictionary written between 1881 and 1906.

Beirce's definition for politician: n. An eel in the fundamental mud upon which the superstructure of organised society is reared. When he wriggles he mistakes the agitation of his tail as the trembling of the edifice.

Comments

Armchair Critic said…
You missed good economic stewardship too, and it's one of the highlights of their term. Record borrowing? Tick. Tax cuts for the rich balanced by tax increases for those who can least afford it? Tick. A massively misdirected investment programme? Tick.
It's all there; these guys are useless.
July 6, 2014 at 8:27 AM
Dave Kennedy said…
You're right, AC, I'm quite happy for people to add to this dictionary, it may have to be extended into several volumes ;-)
July 6, 2014 at 10:15 PM
Unknown said…
Justice the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause.
National Party. Not for coal miners lives, not for forestry workers lives, not for CTV building victims lives. Plenty that could be added as decisions are made as to who deserves it depending on social standing and contacts
July 8, 2014 at 10:45 PM
Dave Kennedy said…
Thanks, Philip, a worthy addition.
July 9, 2014 at 11:30 AM
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