A Tsunami of Hyperbole

Hyperbole is exaggerating for a purpose – it is not meant to be taken literally and it's used to emphasise a point.

The BBC offers us an interesting link between exaggeration and hyperbole. Hyperbole can be used to create an impression that the hyperbole itself is not to be taken seriously, but it makes an underlying serious point. The hyperbole is an airy, casually knowing and perhaps amusing way to refer to that underlying point. 

Yet hyperbole can function as an important distraction. The hyperbole is an obvious exaggeration, but the point it supposedly makes may be an exaggeration too. A less obvious exaggeration, because in a sense, the hyperbole hides it. 

Political hyperbole often presents us with exaggerated stereotypes automatically identified as outsiders – not to be taken seriously. Most modern uses of the term ‘far right’ are good examples. The term is a kind of hyperbole which hides the exaggeration - there are no jackboots to be seen.

The term ‘climate denier’ is similar – nobody denies the existence of the climate. It is another good example of that airy, casually knowing dismissal of an exaggerated stereotype. The term ‘January 6 insurrection’ is another example.

All of this would be less of a problem if mainstream media did not adopt hyperbole as a way to sell their product, maintain good relations with the establishment and disguise their use of exaggeration. Outsiders see it, but insiders do not, because it creates a pernicious sense of ‘knowing’, of social superiority. 

To see it in action, read the Guardian. But you knew that.