Speak the Truth to Power

To Speak the Truth to Power can be applied today to those in the people's House, the House of Representatives, who are speaking the truth to "the powers that be" in the more senior Senate and in the Executive branch of government. Regardless of which political party controls these branches of government, after an election in which control of the House changes parties, and when the Senate and/or the White House are in the control of the other party, truly the new members of the House can Speak the Truth to Power. Many sayings originate in one group and spread to the general public, from jazz, a movie line, etc. While this saying may have originated with liberals, it probably originated when liberals were in the minority. The more salient feature is not whether the speaker of the saying is liberal or conservative, but whether (s)he is in power or not.

Health review leader promises to ‘speak the truth to power’
... the review was a chance to ‘pause, listen, reflect and improve’ on the proposals before they were passed back to the House of Lords in June ... I come from a sector that speaks truth to power. So people can be assured when they’re making comments to us we will listen to what they say’ (Sir Stephen Bubb).

by JohnOfArc July 30, 2011

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Trough times

Pronounced 'troff', this word is the exact opposite of 'peak times', its antithesis. Used when something bad has happened, or when you are at one of life's lowest points. Used only by upper class, well-educated people, as 'trough' actually refers to the lowest point on a wave, such as a radio wave, and 'peak' refers to the highest point. The difference between the peak and trough gives you the amplitude. But this is not a physics lesson. Can also be used sarcastically when someone is talking about something that happened to them which could be considered trivial or pathetic.

Jamie: Oh God i just stabbed myself with a glass rod, have to go to hospital.

Miguel: Trough times Jamie, trough times.

Will: Yesterday I was doing this massive essay and I was working on it for hours, when suddenly my door flew open and my brother ran in pretending to be my mum! He looked like a downie!

Miguel: Cool story bro

Jamie: Trough times.

by slothbrainz September 16, 2011

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Truthful hyperbole

1. An exaggeration so big that it creates a black hole no truth can enter
2. Bullshit

Apple salesman: The iPhone 7 has every feature anyone could possibly want!
Jason: Bullshit, what about the headphone jack?
Mike: Chill, he's just using a truthful hyperbole.
Jason: So, bullshit?
Bob: Sounds like bullshit to me.

by I stole your girl February 24, 2017

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