speak truth to power

A phrase coined by the Quakers during in the mid-1950s. It was a call for the United States to stand firm against fascism and other forms of totalitarianism; it is a phrase that seems to unnerve political right, with reason.

The founders of United States risked their lives in order to speak truth to power, that of King George. It was and is considered courageous, although is more commonly scorned today.

by Uncynic June 16, 2008

Do you speak English?

What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks only one language? An American. The question is pretty much how Americans traveling abroad greet the locals.

Saying "Do you speak English?" can either get you around or get you kidnapped, tortured, killed and having your family discover your fate on CNN anywhere around the world. Asking the question is ok in a place where you see a McDonald's. It is not ok and you should avoid places where electricity and potable water are a luxury to ask the question.

by DonnieMacks October 8, 2008

ESL speak

The change in speech that happens (sometimes unconsciously) when an EFL speaker is talking to an ESL speaker. The EFL speaks louder & slower, uses clearer syllables and sometimes adopts the accent of their ESL audience.

Useful when ordering Chinese or Indian takeaway over the phone so it is more easily understood.

Has no racist motivations at all but is simply a practical way to assist communication.

EFL: "I have one beef-a-black-been, laaj spesha frai raice, tree dim sim."

ESL: "Ok, be ten fitteen minnas. Ba Bai."

Friend-of-EFL: "Dude, that was some nice ESL speak."

ESL: "Tayn-you. Mehbe I shudda orda sam sprin roos a well."

Friend-of-ESL: "OK you can stop now you friggin racist."

by dalb0z March 1, 2010

speachless

Speachless is the extremely common way to improperly spell the word speechless.

Billy is a retard, he wrote the word speechless with an 'ea' instead of how it's actually spelled, with two e's. Speachless is how retards spell it.

by yitzhak25898891486322256 November 19, 2010

Speak

you say "speak!" (it's usually said with enthusiasm)when someone says something relevant and true about something and you agree with them.It's like saying "speak the truth" but instead you just say speak..they'll understand

speak

by miznarlyt April 12, 2011

bullshit speak

Unnecessary words that executives use to make a statement seem more interesting, more informative, more important, or in the case of a report on a company's quarterly losses, more optimistic and less forewarning of people losing their jobs. Your manager uses bullshit speak when he's telling you why you were "laid off" (read: fired because he doesn't like you).

Bullshit speak consists of rarely-used words, words being misused, and on occasion, entirely made-up words.

Whenever LG's fridges, Sony's laptops, or Honda's airbags are blowing up in people's faces, you can be sure that a bunch of reassuring bullshit speak will follow, accompanied by a lot of out-of-court settlements.

Bullshit speak:
We are placing the stock under review, as we parse out how much of the disappointing quarter results can be chalked up to cyclicality and how much was the result of structural issues that have longer-term implications.

Colloquial English:
We're taking a closer look at the tacky garbage that we sell, as we figure out how much of the losses this past 3 months are because we're selling Halloween decorations at Easter, and how much of it is due to to us hiring carpenters to make cupcakes.

by brightshade782 December 30, 2011

The love that dare not speak its name

"The Love that dare not speak its name" in this century is such a great affection of an elder for a younger man as there was between David and Jonathan, such as Plato made the very basis of his philosophy, and such as you find in the sonnets of Michelangelo and Shakespeare. It is that deep, spiritual affection that is as pure as it is perfect. It dictates and pervades great works of art like those of Shakespeare and Michelangelo, and those two letters of mine, such as they are. It is in this century misunderstood, so much misunderstood that it may be described as the "Love that dare not speak its name," and on account of it I am placed where I am now. It is beautiful, it is fine, it is the noblest form of affection. There is nothing unnatural about it. It is intellectual, and it repeatedly exists between an elder and a younger man, when the elder man has intellect, and the younger man has all the joy, hope and glamour of life before him. That it should be so, the world does not understand. The world mocks at it and sometimes puts one in the pillory for it." = Oscar Wilde 1845-1900

Oscar Wilde is a really hoopy frood who didn't deserve to be put in jail.
''The love that dare not speak its name'' came from a poem by Lord Alfred Douglas (Oscar's boyfriend)

by A Broken Student September 26, 2010