Alas, poor dictionary! We knew you well!

[Atticus]

RIP Merriam-Webster, O.E.D., Funk and Wagnalls. The current regime has achieved what was, until recently, only a "1984" fever dream: they have rendered language meaningless.

If alternative facts are the equal of facts; if a fence is the same as a wall; if Trump can say "Mexico will pay for the wall" while Mexico says "We ain't payin' for your fuckin' wall!" and, if simply saying "Anyone who wants a test can get a test" is just as good as actually providing widespread testing, what possible use would anyone have for a dictionary?

Words mean what the Trump crime syndicate says they mean NOW. Not yesterday or last week or five minutes ago. And, whatever Trump or his disciples say a word means now, that may change with their next sentence.

Words like "appropriate" ("employees should wear face masks where appropriate" ) and "feasible" ("patrons shall practice social distancing when feasible" ) and even "possible" ("change masks and gloves after each patient contact if possible" ) are now complete nullities. They mean whatever the PTB say they mean from moment to moment and, thus, they mean nothing.

If, indeed, the world ends "with a whimper", it may be because that is the only remaining vocalization certain to be understood.

[emmaverybo]

1. Trump said yesterday, responding to Jim Acosta about his claim that virus cases will go down

to zero, that they will go down to zero “at the appropriate time.” Does the virus know when it would be appropriate for it to cease and desist?

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. You'll pry my dictionary from my cold, dead hands!