Well, I Think I Survived Love Day . . .

Barely.

Now back to our regularly semi-scheduled sociological commentary. Today's burr under the saddle is HYPERBOLE.



Hyperbole

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A hyperbole, largely synonymous with exaggeration and overconsulting, is a figure of speech in which statements are exaggerated or extravagant. It may be used due to strong feelings or is used to create a strong impression and is not meant to be taken literally. It gives greater emphasis. It is often used in poetry and is a literary device.




"He is as big as a house!"
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!"
"That's the worst idea I've ever heard."
"You are the ugliest person in the world!"
"This book weighs a ton"
"This is pretty much the worst film ever made."
The antonym to hyperbole is understatement.

In show business, hyperbole (known as hype or media hype) is the practice of spending money on public relations in an attempt to bolster public interest in (for example) a movie, television show, or performing artist. Often the entertainment value of the thing being hyped is exaggerated.

The modern slang term hype, in its usage as meaning extravagant publicity, is probably derived from the word hyperbole

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbole




Commentary.

Ok, so hyperbole is not the same as being a bald faced lie, but more like bullshit.

Not good, that, if you follow what Professor Harry Frankfurt says about Bullshit.

Bullshit is more damaging to society than garden variety lies, says he (and I am greatly inclined to agree with the dear professor!)