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Fun with word emphasis!

lambert's picture
Thu, 03/01/2012 - 1:37pm — lambert

A propos this story on the looting at MF Global, a friend of mine once used this sentence as an example of how emphasis can change the meaning of a sentence.

It occurs to me that all the mainstream coverage of the ongoing financial crisis can be summarized using one of the eight variations of the following sentence:

I do not know who stole that money.

I do not know who stole that money.

I do not know who stole that money.

I do not know who stole that money.

I do not know who stole that money.

I do not know who stole that money.

I do not know who stole that money.

I do not know who stole that money.

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okanogen's picture

"Show me a few different colors....."

By okanogen on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 1:46pm

The John Sayles Version

It’s amazing, the money just “went missing”. That darn money, always just going missing and stuff. Where ever do you think they can find it? Could they look in some banksters pockets? Maybe it hid in there?

Sorry, I don't fall in love with politicians. I'm not that desperate.....

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lambert's picture

Awesome...

By lambert on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 7:03pm

Had no idea of the cultural reference...

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. -- Mahatma Gandhi

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okanogen's picture

Oddly Apropos

By okanogen on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 12:27am

Isn't it? I didn't ask for the anal probe either, but we are getting it anyway, and the vampire squid definitely translates as "alien".

Sorry, I don't fall in love with politicians. I'm not that desperate.....

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lambert's picture

"Show me a few different colors"

By lambert on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 12:39am

If I want an operational definition of smarminess....

First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. -- Mahatma Gandhi

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