Blackmail Is Such an Ugly Word: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}} |
{{trope}} |
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[[File:Stalker is a harsh word.jpg|link=Mirai Nikki|thumb]] |
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{{quote|" |
{{quote|"Blackmail is such an ugly word.<ref>Not the Trope Namer; ''[[M*A*S*H (television)|M*A*S*H]]'' used the same sentence over a decade earlier</ref> [[Insistent Terminology|I prefer 'extortion'.]] [["X" Makes Anything Cool|The 'X' makes it sound cool]]." |
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|'''Bender Bending Rodriguez''', ''[[Futurama]]''}} |
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This trope dates back to movies in the 1930s (and possibly earlier). A character discovers that she is the target of [[Blackmail]] and confronts the blackmailer who, while not denying their actions, would rather call it something prettier like a "comprehensive insurance policy". The line is virtually stock dialogue now; as a trope it is at the very least [[Discredited Trope|discredited]], since it's only used for laughs (or period flavor) these days. |
This trope dates back to movies in the 1930s (and possibly earlier). A character discovers that she is the target of [[Blackmail]] and confronts the blackmailer who, while not denying their actions, would rather call it something prettier like a "comprehensive insurance policy". The line is virtually stock dialogue now; as a trope it is at the very least [[Discredited Trope|discredited]], since it's only used for laughs (or period flavor) these days. |
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A subtrope of [[No Except Yes]] and [[Insistent Terminology]]. |
A subtrope of [[No Except Yes]] and [[Insistent Terminology]]. |
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{{noreallife|tell the police, not us.}} |
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{{examples}} |
{{examples}} |
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== The Classic Line == |
== The Classic Line == |
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=== |
=== Comic Books === |
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{{quote|'''Gyrich:''' This is blackmail. |
{{quote|'''Gyrich:''' This is blackmail. |
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'''Brand:''' I prefer "squeezing your unexplored hairy planetoids in a vise". }} |
'''Brand:''' I prefer "squeezing your unexplored hairy planetoids in a vise". }} |
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=== Fan Works === |
=== Fan Works === |
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''(Stewie pulls out a baseball bat and starts whacking Brian on the back and shins)'' |
''(Stewie pulls out a baseball bat and starts whacking Brian on the back and shins)'' |
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'''Brian:''' Damn! Ow! Stop that! Okay, okay, blackmail it is! }} |
'''Brian:''' Damn! Ow! Stop that! Okay, okay, blackmail it is! }} |
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** It is also a shout-out to every show that ever said blackmail was interchangable with |
** It is also a shout-out to every show that ever said blackmail was interchangable with extortion—and by this page you can see there are quite the number of them. |
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* From [http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7831829/1/bLooming_b_bDarkness_b Looming Darkness] we have [[Big Bad|Dark]] [[Evil Twin|Link]] quoting this almost word for word in chapter 9. |
* From ''[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7831829/1/bLooming_b_bDarkness_b Looming Darkness]'' we have [[Big Bad|Dark]] [[Evil Twin|Link]] quoting this almost word for word in chapter 9. |
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=== Film === |
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=== Films -- Live-Action === |
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* Played straight in the [[Stanley Kubrick]] film ''[[Paths of Glory]]''. |
* Played straight in the [[Stanley Kubrick]] film ''[[Paths of Glory]]''. |
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* ''[[Dial M for Murder]]'' |
* ''[[Dial M for Murder]]'' |
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* Hilariously subverted in ''[[It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'': |
* Hilariously subverted in ''[[It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'': |
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{{quote|'''Chief Aloysius:''' ''(on the phone with the mayor)'' Now you know the word for this your Honor: it's called blackmail!}} |
{{quote|'''Chief Aloysius:''' ''(on the phone with the mayor)'' Now you know the word for this your Honor: it's called blackmail!}} |
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=== Literature === |
=== Literature === |
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"But, of course, it means something completely different. So all right, let's say I followed you here." }} |
"But, of course, it means something completely different. So all right, let's say I followed you here." }} |
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* In ''[[Lolita]]'', Humbert corrects himself when fantasizing on how he will "blackmail" his wife Charlotte into letting him spend more time with Lolita, saying that "blackmail" is too harsh and suggesting "mauvemail" as a lighter term. |
* In ''[[Lolita]]'', Humbert corrects himself when fantasizing on how he will "blackmail" his wife Charlotte into letting him spend more time with Lolita, saying that "blackmail" is too harsh and suggesting "mauvemail" as a lighter term. |
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* Subverted in Ayn Rand's ''Atlas Shrugged'': |
* Subverted in Ayn Rand's ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'': |
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{{quote|Rearden said calmly, "In my youth, this was called blackmail." |
{{quote|Rearden said calmly, "In my youth, this was called blackmail." |
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Dr. Ferris grinned. "That's what it is, Mr. Rearden. We've entered a much more realistic age." }} |
Dr. Ferris grinned. "That's what it is, Mr. Rearden. We've entered a much more realistic age." }} |
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* The horse is not yet completely dead: played 100% straight in the 2009 [[John Grisham]] book ''The Associate''. |
* The horse is not yet completely dead: played 100% straight in the 2009 [[John Grisham]] book ''The Associate''. |
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* Terl of ''[[Battlefield Earth]]'' has an obsession with finding "leverage" over his opponents that rivals J. Edgar Hoover. |
* Terl of ''[[Battlefield Earth]]'' has an obsession with finding "leverage" over his opponents that rivals J. Edgar Hoover. |
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* In the novel Foundation's Triumph, the [["Three Laws"-Compliant]] robots must use this type of phrasing when they tell human mentallics it may be necessary to seriously harm Hari Seldon to stop what they view as another robot group's interference. |
* In the novel ''[[Foundation|Foundation's Triumph]]'', the [["Three Laws"-Compliant]] robots must use this type of phrasing when they tell human mentallics it may be necessary to seriously harm Hari Seldon to stop what they view as another robot group's interference. |
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{{quote|"It may become necessary..." |
{{quote|"It may become necessary..." |
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"To kill?" |
"To kill?" |
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His squad-mates dragged him to his feets and took him to saddle their mounts. Kel was grateful. Lofren was happy to talk about matters of law at length, in detail, to anyone who would listen. }} |
His squad-mates dragged him to his feets and took him to saddle their mounts. Kel was grateful. Lofren was happy to talk about matters of law at length, in detail, to anyone who would listen. }} |
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* Eric Idle's ''[[Rutland Weekend Television|Rutland Dirty Weekend Book]]'' contains a letter to critics in which Idle explicitly states they will be paid bribes for a good review of the book, and subject to physical violence for a bad review, and notes that blackmail is an ugly word, "but in this case, it's also a very accurate one." |
* Eric Idle's ''[[Rutland Weekend Television|Rutland Dirty Weekend Book]]'' contains a letter to critics in which Idle explicitly states they will be paid bribes for a good review of the book, and subject to physical violence for a bad review, and notes that blackmail is an ugly word, "but in this case, it's also a very accurate one." |
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* The novel ''[http://stores.lulu.com/arkle And Here's To You]'' has main female character Alicia Mitchell use this exact line on a co-worker at an office party. Partially Justified by the character's internal monologue revealing that she was directly quoting Bender from ''Futurama'' (see the second page quote above) when she did so. |
* The novel ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20110815092237/http://stores.lulu.com/arkle And Here's To You]'' has main female character Alicia Mitchell use this exact line on a co-worker at an office party. Partially Justified by the character's internal monologue revealing that she was directly quoting Bender from ''Futurama'' (see the second page quote above) when she did so. |
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* Variant: In the [[Lord Darcy]] novel ''Too Many Magicians'', when the Marquis of London pressures Darcy to take a case, Master Sean calls it blackmail: |
* Variant: In the [[Lord Darcy]] novel ''Too Many Magicians'', when the Marquis of London pressures Darcy to take a case, Master Sean calls it blackmail: |
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{{quote|"'Blackmail' is perhaps too strong a word," Lord Darcy said thoughtfully, "but I will admit that no other is quite strong enough."}} |
{{quote|"'Blackmail' is perhaps too strong a word," Lord Darcy said thoughtfully, "but I will admit that no other is quite strong enough."}} |
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* Inverted in [[The Culture]] novel ''[[The Culture/The Player of Games|The Player of Games]]''. The protagonist is blackmailed by a drone and the drone actually says something like "What I'm doing to you is called blackmail." Presumably, since [[The Culture]] is a utopia, the protagonist might not actually know what blackmail is. |
* Inverted in [[The Culture]] novel ''[[The Culture/The Player of Games|The Player of Games]]''. The protagonist is blackmailed by a drone and the drone actually says something like "What I'm doing to you is called blackmail." Presumably, since [[The Culture]] is a utopia, the protagonist might not actually know what blackmail is. |
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=== Live-Action TV === |
=== Live-Action TV === |
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'''Amy:''' I didn't say blackmail. |
'''Amy:''' I didn't say blackmail. |
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'''Xander:''' Yeah, but I'm about to blackmail you, so I thought I'd bring it up. }} |
'''Xander:''' Yeah, but I'm about to blackmail you, so I thought I'd bring it up. }} |
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* In ''[[Diff'rent |
* In ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'', Arnold gets into a fight with the bullying son of the landlord's brother who is subbing for a short time. This leads to a loud confrontation where the brother confronts Mr. Drummond, threatens to evict the family and provokes Drummond to punch the blowhard out. Later, the Landlord comes to the Drummonds saying that he approved of his dumb brother being put in his place. He also exploits a lease violation that the brother found to raise the rent on the Drummonds, with a veiled threat of eviction to convince them to give in. When Drummond protests that this is blackmail, the landlord responds "I prefer to think of it as plea bargaining". The punchline is after the Drummonds cave in to this threat, the father tells the kids that this is the result of his act of violence. However, when asked if it was worth it, Mr. Drummond immediately remarks it was for having the pleasure of shutting a bully up. |
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* [[Inverted]] in an episode of ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]''. After Reese destroyed a new fridge via a hand grenade given to him by his grandfather, Hal sits down with his in-laws and asks for money to repair the damages and then some. His father-in-law believes this is a loan to be paid back. Hal calmly informs them that they endangered the children by bringing live munitions into the house and that he could have them arrested for that. He then proceeds to tell them "Don't think of it as a loan. [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|Think of it as blackmail.]]" |
* [[Inverted]] in an episode of ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]''. After Reese destroyed a new fridge via a hand grenade given to him by his grandfather, Hal sits down with his in-laws and asks for money to repair the damages and then some. His father-in-law believes this is a loan to be paid back. Hal calmly informs them that they endangered the children by bringing live munitions into the house and that he could have them arrested for that. He then proceeds to tell them "Don't think of it as a loan. [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|Think of it as blackmail.]]" |
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* Done in an episode of ''[[M*A*S*H| |
* Done in an episode of ''[[M*A*S*H (television)|M*A*S*H]]''. |
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{{quote|'''BJ:''' Blackmail is such an ugly word. |
{{quote|'''BJ:''' Blackmail is such an ugly word. |
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'''Hawkeye:''' We prefer extortion. }} |
'''Hawkeye:''' We prefer extortion. }} |
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* Also used by Sam Axe in ''[[Burn Notice]]'''s prequel, ''[[The Fall of Sam Axe]]'': |
* Also used by Sam Axe in ''[[Burn Notice]]'''s prequel, ''[[The Fall of Sam Axe]]'': |
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{{quote|'''Admiral Gregory Maitland:''' That's blackmail! |
{{quote|'''Admiral Gregory Maitland:''' That's blackmail! |
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'''Sam Axe:''' No, actually, sir, I believe this form of extortion is known as ''[[wikipedia:Graymail| |
'''Sam Axe:''' No, actually, sir, I believe this form of extortion is known as ''[[wikipedia:Graymail|graymail]]''. It's much nicer than blackmail. }} |
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* ''[[Yes Minister]]'' gave us a version of this, when the black, male revolutionary leader of a small African nation threatens to give a strongly nationalist speech in Scotland unless the Government gives him £50m. |
* ''[[Yes Minister]]'' gave us a version of this, when the black, male revolutionary leader of a small African nation threatens to give a strongly nationalist speech in Scotland unless the Government gives him £50m. |
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{{quote|'''Sir Humphrey:''' It's blackmail! |
{{quote|'''Sir Humphrey:''' It's blackmail! |
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'''General Selim Mohammed:''' Are you referring to me or my proposal? |
'''General Selim Mohammed:''' Are you referring to me or my proposal? |
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'''Jim Hacker:''' Your proposal, obviously! No, wait, not ''even'' your proposal! }} |
'''Jim Hacker:''' Your proposal, obviously! No, wait, not ''even'' your proposal! }} |
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=== Puppet Shows === |
=== Puppet Shows === |
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'''Leo:''' ''(as Jack Nicholson)'' Blackmail is such a dirty word. |
'''Leo:''' ''(as Jack Nicholson)'' Blackmail is such a dirty word. |
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'''Leo:''' ''(as himself)'' Jack Nicholson, ''Chinatown.'' And yes. }} |
'''Leo:''' ''(as himself)'' Jack Nicholson, ''Chinatown.'' And yes. }} |
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=== Radio === |
=== Radio === |
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* A spoof of this trope, from the British radio series ''[[I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again|I'm Sorry |
* A spoof of this trope, from the British radio series ''[[I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again|I'm Sorry]]'': |
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{{quote|'''John (Cleese):''' So... it's blackmail, is it? |
{{quote|'''John (Cleese):''' So... it's blackmail, is it? |
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'''Graeme (Garden) :''' Please. Blackmail is such an ugly word. |
'''Graeme (Garden) :''' Please. Blackmail is such an ugly word. |
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''Caterpillar''. }} |
''Caterpillar''. }} |
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=== Tabletop Games === |
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=== Theatre === |
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* One of the examples given in the song "I Love a Film Cliche" from ''[[A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine]]'' is the trope name, word-for-word. |
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=== Video Games === |
=== Video Games === |
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{{quote|'''Snake:''' So, you're blackmailing me? |
{{quote|'''Snake:''' So, you're blackmailing me? |
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'''Col. Campbell:''' I prefer to think of it as helping to make you come to a decision more easily. }} |
'''Col. Campbell:''' I prefer to think of it as helping to make you come to a decision more easily. }} |
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=== Web Original === |
=== Web Original === |
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{{quote|'''Jadis:''' Ooh. That sounds like blackmail. And blackmail is such an ugly word. |
{{quote|'''Jadis:''' Ooh. That sounds like blackmail. And blackmail is such an ugly word. |
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'''Ayla:''' I prefer "intentional torts". At least it sounds like some deliberately tasty desserts. }} |
'''Ayla:''' I prefer "intentional torts". At least it sounds like some deliberately tasty desserts. }} |
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=== Web Comics === |
=== Web Comics === |
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{{quote|'''Max:''' Joe, you're blackmailing people! |
{{quote|'''Max:''' Joe, you're blackmailing people! |
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'''Joe:''' "Blackmail" is such a negative term. I prefer "mail of color". }} |
'''Joe:''' "Blackmail" is such a negative term. I prefer "mail of color". }} |
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* ''[http://goats.com/archive/080423.html Goats]'': |
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20130605114122/http://www.goats.com/archive/080423.html Goats]'': |
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{{quote|'''Scroggs:''' Blackmail is such a negative term. Let's call it Proactive Synergy Reallocation. |
{{quote|'''Scroggs:''' Blackmail is such a negative term. Let's call it Proactive Synergy Reallocation. |
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'''Ix:''' Let's call it Susan. Ix always like that name. }} |
'''Ix:''' Let's call it Susan. Ix always like that name. }} |
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'''Virus:''' ''(with hurt expression)'' We prefer the term "extortion". |
'''Virus:''' ''(with hurt expression)'' We prefer the term "extortion". |
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'''Eastwood:''' Hey, it's not ''our'' fault if Commander Schaefer leaves videos of his secret chicken fetish lying around. ''Anybody'' could've broken into his apartment and found them. }} |
'''Eastwood:''' Hey, it's not ''our'' fault if Commander Schaefer leaves videos of his secret chicken fetish lying around. ''Anybody'' could've broken into his apartment and found them. }} |
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=== Western Animation === |
=== Western Animation === |
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'''Leela:''' You're blackmailing me? |
'''Leela:''' You're blackmailing me? |
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'''Bender:''' Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The "X" makes it [[Xtreme Kool Letterz|sound cool]]. }} |
'''Bender:''' Blackmail is such an ugly word. I prefer extortion. The "X" makes it [[Xtreme Kool Letterz|sound cool]]. }} |
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== Examples of a different Ugly Word == |
== Examples of a different Ugly Word == |
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=== Anime |
=== Anime and Manga === |
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* From ''[[FAKE]]'': |
* From ''[[FAKE]]'': |
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{{quote|'''Dee:''' So you are in cahoots with Berkeley after all, aren't you? I knew something was up. |
{{quote|'''Dee:''' So you are in cahoots with Berkeley after all, aren't you? I knew something was up. |
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'''Diana:''' Awww, cahoots is such a mean, ugly word. We're more like [[Unlucky Childhood Friend|childhood friends]], if anything. Swear to God. }} |
'''Diana:''' Awww, cahoots is such a mean, ugly word. We're more like [[Unlucky Childhood Friend|childhood friends]], if anything. Swear to God. }} |
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=== Comics -- Books === |
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* ''[[Batman|Joker's Asylum: The Riddler]]'': |
* ''[[Batman|Joker's Asylum: The Riddler]]'': |
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{{quote|'''Jessica Duchamp:''' The painting. You're stealing it. |
{{quote|'''Jessica Duchamp:''' The painting. You're stealing it. |
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'''Riddler:''' "Stealing" is such an unpleasant word. I prefer "acquiring". It's much more aesthetically pleasing to the tongue. }} |
'''Riddler:''' "Stealing" is such an unpleasant word. I prefer "acquiring". It's much more aesthetically pleasing to the tongue. }} |
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* ''[[The Simpsons|Simpsons Comics]]'': |
* ''[[The Simpsons (animation)|Simpsons Comics]]'': |
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{{quote|'''Lisa:''' You fake the Mars missions here? |
{{quote|'''Lisa:''' You fake the Mars missions here? |
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'''Lindsay Neagle:''' "Fake" is such a harsh word. Accurate, but harsh. }} |
'''Lindsay Neagle:''' "Fake" is such a harsh word. Accurate, but harsh. }} |
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=== Fan Works === |
=== Fan Works === |
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* [[Sdrawkcab Name|Nilvac and Sebboh]], from ''[[Calvin and Hobbes: The Series]]'', react this way to being called "evil". They prefer "dark". |
* [[Sdrawkcab Name|Nilvac and Sebboh]], from ''[[Calvin and Hobbes: The Series]]'', react this way to being called "evil". They prefer "dark". |
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=== Film === |
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=== Films -- Animation === |
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* In ''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]],'' Milo accuses the others on the expedition of being mercenaries, only to be told they "prefer the term 'adventure capitalist.'" |
* In ''[[Atlantis: The Lost Empire]],'' Milo accuses the others on the expedition of being mercenaries, only to be told they "prefer the term 'adventure capitalist.'" |
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* In sequels to ''[[Aladdin (Disney film)|Aladdin]]'', it's nearly Iago's catchphrase to say "Hate/traitor is such a strong word". |
* In sequels to ''[[Aladdin (Disney film)|Aladdin]]'', it's nearly Iago's catchphrase to say "Hate/traitor is such a strong word". |
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'''[[Robin Hood]]:''' "Rob?" Tsk tsk tsk tsk -- that's a naughty word; we never "rob." We just... sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it. |
'''[[Robin Hood]]:''' "Rob?" Tsk tsk tsk tsk -- that's a naughty word; we never "rob." We just... sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it. |
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'''Little John:''' "''Borrow?''" Huh. Boy, are we in debt! }} |
'''Little John:''' "''Borrow?''" Huh. Boy, are we in debt! }} |
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=== Films -- Live-Action === |
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* ''Chinatown'': |
* ''[[Chinatown]]'': |
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{{quote|'''Gittes:''' She was cheating on him. Were you? |
{{quote|'''Gittes:''' She was cheating on him. Were you? |
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'''Mrs. Mulwray:''' I dislike the word "cheat". |
'''Mrs. Mulwray:''' I dislike the word "cheat". |
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'''Jane Foster:''' Stolen. |
'''Jane Foster:''' Stolen. |
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'''Agent Coulson:''' Borrowed. }} |
'''Agent Coulson:''' Borrowed. }} |
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=== Literature === |
=== Literature === |
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* From "The Movie They Said Could Never Be Made" in ''The Joy of Clichés'' by Nigel Rees: |
* From "The Movie They Said Could Never Be Made" in ''The Joy of Clichés'' by Nigel Rees: |
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{{quote|'''Dr. Big:''' You're just like all the others. You think I'm mad, don't you? |
{{quote|'''Dr. Big:''' You're just like all the others. You think I'm mad, don't you? |
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'''Side-Kick:''' Not mad, but how about ''[[Gratuitous German|geisteskrank]]''? |
'''Side-Kick:''' Not mad, but how about ''[[Gratuitous German|geisteskrank]]''? |
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'''Dr. Big:''' ''Geisteskrank'' is such an ''ugly'' word.! }} |
'''Dr. Big:''' ''Geisteskrank'' is such an ''ugly'' word.! }} |
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* Informed by [[The Dresden Files|Harry Dresden]] that there've been two attempts on Harry's life since he was hired to follow him, a private investigator opts to discontinue his assignment, remarking that "accomplice" is an ugly word, as is "penitentiary". |
* Informed by [[The Dresden Files|Harry Dresden]] that there've been two attempts on Harry's life since he was hired to follow him, a private investigator opts to discontinue his assignment, remarking that "accomplice" is an ugly word, as is "penitentiary". |
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* [[Discussed Trope|Discussed]] near the end of ''[[The Star Beast]]'': |
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{{quote|"In other words, boss," Greenberg said softly, "you are insisting on hostages." |
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"'Hostage,'" Mr. Kiku said primly, "is a word that no diplomat should ever use."}} |
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=== Live-Action TV === |
=== Live-Action TV === |
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* In ''[[Farscape]]'' when Rygel is accused of "snurching" (''Farscape''-ese for "stealing"), he responds "I don't ''snurch'', I... ''procure''." |
* In ''[[Farscape]]'' when Rygel is accused of "snurching" (''Farscape''-ese for "stealing"), he responds "I don't ''snurch'', I... ''procure''." |
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* ''[[ |
* ''[[Who's The Boss?]]'', "Not With My Client You Don't": Angela's assistant calls "hooker" an ugly word and prefers "call girl". |
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* In the ''[[Blackadder]] Goes Forth'' episode "General Hospital", during a discussion of spying, Melchett becomes so concerned with what's "a dirty word" and what isn't that he loses touch with the actual subject entirely. |
* In the ''[[Blackadder]] Goes Forth'' episode "General Hospital", during a discussion of spying, Melchett becomes so concerned with what's "a dirty word" and what isn't that he loses touch with the actual subject entirely. |
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{{quote|'''Melchett:''' "Security" isn't a dirty word, Blackadder. "Crevice" is a dirty word, but not "security". |
{{quote|'''Melchett:''' "Security" isn't a dirty word, Blackadder. "Crevice" is a dirty word, but not "security". |
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'''Darling:''' We've found a leak. |
'''Darling:''' We've found a leak. |
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'''Melchett:''' Now "leak" is a positively ''disgusting'' word. }} |
'''Melchett:''' Now "leak" is a positively ''disgusting'' word. }} |
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* Subverted in the ''[[ |
* Subverted in the ''[[M*A*S*H (television)|M*A*S*H]]'' episode "The Price". |
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{{quote|'''Klinger:''' Bribery is such an ugly word. Ugly, but fitting.}} |
{{quote|'''Klinger:''' Bribery is such an ugly word. Ugly, but fitting.}} |
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* In the finale of ''[[Boston Legal]]'': |
* In the finale of ''[[Boston Legal]]'': |
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{{quote|'''Wesley:''' This is mutiny! |
{{quote|'''Wesley:''' This is mutiny! |
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'''Buffy:''' I call it "graduation". }} |
'''Buffy:''' I call it "graduation". }} |
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* In ''[[Star Trek: |
* In ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'', Garak isn't pleased with Siskos' encouragement to help him with a rescue misson. |
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{{quote|'''Garak:''' Commander, this is extortion! |
{{quote|'''Garak:''' Commander, this is extortion! |
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'''Sisko:''' Hm... yes, it is. }} |
'''Sisko:''' Hm... yes, it is. }} |
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'''Eddie''': Justin, hate is a very strong word. }} |
'''Eddie''': Justin, hate is a very strong word. }} |
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* ''[[The Comic Strip Presents]]'' episode "Space Virgins from the Planet Sex" has alien women needing human men to get them pregnant. They shy away from the term "sex slave" in favour of a description of being forced to have sex. |
* ''[[The Comic Strip Presents]]'' episode "Space Virgins from the Planet Sex" has alien women needing human men to get them pregnant. They shy away from the term "sex slave" in favour of a description of being forced to have sex. |
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* The [[MacGuffin]] in one ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'' episode is a collection of artwork taken from occupied France for a high-ranking German official's private |
* The [[MacGuffin]] in one ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'' episode is a collection of artwork taken from occupied France for a high-ranking German official's private collection—described as "not 'stolen'... 'confiscated'". |
||
* From the ''[[Frasier]]'' episode "The Devil and Dr. Willly": |
* From the ''[[Frasier]]'' episode "The Devil and Dr. Willly": |
||
{{quote|'''Babe:''' I'm just talking about having a little fun. After all, when I'm having fun, I'm happy. When I'm happy, I work harder. When I work harder, you become famous and powerful. Isn't that what you want? Fame and power? |
{{quote|'''Babe:''' I'm just talking about having a little fun. After all, when I'm having fun, I'm happy. When I'm happy, I work harder. When I work harder, you become famous and powerful. Isn't that what you want? Fame and power? |
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* Subverted in ''[[Haven]]'': |
* Subverted in ''[[Haven]]'': |
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{{quote|'''Duke''': Lying is such an ugly word...but yeah, I lied.}} |
{{quote|'''Duke''': Lying is such an ugly word...but yeah, I lied.}} |
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=== Video Games === |
=== Video Games === |
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* In ''[[Geneforge|Geneforge V]]'', a bandit argues over semantics. |
* In ''[[Geneforge|Geneforge V]]'', a bandit argues over semantics. |
||
{{quote|'''Emogene:''' I object to the word "extort". It is an ugly term. We are helping them. If they are so tight with their coins that they can't pay us for this service, it is a good thing we are here to teach them manners.}} |
{{quote|'''Emogene:''' I object to the word "extort". It is an ugly term. We are helping them. If they are so tight with their coins that they can't pay us for this service, it is a good thing we are here to teach them manners.}} |
||
=== Web Comics === |
=== Web Comics === |
||
* ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'' is in this category too: |
* ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'' is in this category too, as seen [https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2005-11-17 here]: |
||
{{quote|'''Petey:''' "Spy" is such a short ugly word. I prefer "espionage". Those three extra syllables really say something.}} |
{{quote|'''Petey:''' "Spy" is such a short ugly word. I prefer "espionage". Those three extra syllables really ''say'' something.}} |
||
** Then Kathryn [http://www.schlockmercenary.com/2013-01-29 argues that she didn't steal the ship]. With its previous captain. (Alexia finds it amusing because they were compensated later, and because it was not nearly the worst part of that mess). |
|||
* ''[[The |
* ''[[The Order of the Stick]]'' |
||
** Haley Starshine dislikes being called a thief. She prefers "Freelance Wealth Redistribution Specialist". |
** Haley Starshine dislikes being called a thief. She prefers "Freelance Wealth Redistribution Specialist". |
||
** Also: |
** Also: |
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* Revolver Ocelot in ''[[The Last Days of Foxhound]]'': |
* Revolver Ocelot in ''[[The Last Days of Foxhound]]'': |
||
{{quote|'''Revolver Ocelot:''' "Torture" is such an '''inelegant''' word. [[Torture Technician|I'm an artist. Their testicles are my canvas.]]}} |
{{quote|'''Revolver Ocelot:''' "Torture" is such an '''inelegant''' word. [[Torture Technician|I'm an artist. Their testicles are my canvas.]]}} |
||
* ''[[Vexxarr]]'' sometimes has [http://www.vexxarr.com/archive.php?seldate=020615 such distinctions]: |
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{{quote|'''Scavenger Bot''': ''YOU ARE EVIL!'' |
|||
'''Carl''': I prefer to think of it as having an intricate and meticulous disregard for other being's feelings, opinions and welfare. |
|||
'''Captainbot''': {{small-caps|What's the difference?}} |
|||
'''Carl''': That's the beauty of it... ''I don't care!'' }} |
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* ''Day by Day'' presents: a "[//www.daybydaycartoon.com/comic/safety-nazis/ Brand Safety Marketer]". |
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=== Web Original === |
=== Web Original === |
||
* Similarly, [http://forums.joltonline.com/showthread.php?583264-Is-Obama-a-failure-as-a-president&p=14503988&viewfull=1#post14503988 this post] on the (now disused) old [[ |
* Similarly, [http://forums.joltonline.com/showthread.php?583264-Is-Obama-a-failure-as-a-president&p=14503988&viewfull=1#post14503988 this post]{{Dead link}} on the (now disused) old [[NationStates]] forums, memorialised in someone's signature: |
||
{{quote|''Extortion is such a nasty word. |
{{quote|''Extortion is such a nasty word.'' |
||
I much prefer "magnolia". "Magnolia" is a much nicer word.'' }} |
''I much prefer "magnolia". "Magnolia" is a much nicer word.'' }} |
||
* [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/File:MPost12935-60261929db.jpg This] demotivator. They're not pirates, they're ''preemtive nautical salvage experts''. |
* [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/File:MPost12935-60261929db.jpg This] demotivator. They're not pirates, they're ''preemtive nautical salvage experts''. |
||
* [http://www.theonion.com/articles/genocide-is-such-a-harsh-word,10797/ Genocide is such a harsh word...] |
* [http://www.theonion.com/articles/genocide-is-such-a-harsh-word,10797/ Genocide is such a harsh word...] |
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=== Western Animation === |
=== Western Animation === |
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[[Category:Crime and Punishment Tropes]] |
[[Category:Crime and Punishment Tropes]] |
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[[Category:Older Than Television]] |
[[Category:Older Than Television]] |
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[[Category:Blackmail Is Such an Ugly Word]] |
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[[Category:No Real Life Examples, Please]] |
[[Category:No Real Life Examples, Please]] |
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[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] |
Latest revision as of 14:23, 12 July 2023
"Blackmail is such an ugly word.[1] I prefer 'extortion'. The 'X' makes it sound cool." —Bender Bending Rodriguez, Futurama
|
This trope dates back to movies in the 1930s (and possibly earlier). A character discovers that she is the target of Blackmail and confronts the blackmailer who, while not denying their actions, would rather call it something prettier like a "comprehensive insurance policy". The line is virtually stock dialogue now; as a trope it is at the very least discredited, since it's only used for laughs (or period flavor) these days.
A subtrope of No Except Yes and Insistent Terminology.
No real life examples, please; tell the police, not us.
The Classic Line
Comic Books
- S.W.O.R.D.: Abigail Brand lets Gyrich know that his attempted coup of her organisation nearly led to Earth's destruction, she has all the evidence needed to prove it, and the only way she'll keep it to herself is if he quits and tells the higher-ups that she has no need of a co-command.
Gyrich: This is blackmail. |
Fan Works
- The Family Guy fanfic Wipe The Slate Clean has this mild subversion on the trope, between Brian and Stewie when Stewie plans to blackmail Brian:
Brian: So... it's blackmail, is it? |
- It is also a shout-out to every show that ever said blackmail was interchangable with extortion—and by this page you can see there are quite the number of them.
- From Looming Darkness we have Dark Link quoting this almost word for word in chapter 9.
Film
- Played straight in the Stanley Kubrick film Paths of Glory.
- Dial M for Murder
Tony: I was hoping sooner or later I might catch you at something and be able to... |
- In Kind Hearts and Coronets, Louis sees through one of Sibella's schemes: "Not only are you trying to blackmail me -- an ugly word, but the right one, I think -- but you're trying to bluff me as well."
- Played straight in The Bad and The Beautiful.
- Hilariously subverted in It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World:
Chief Aloysius: (on the phone with the mayor) Now you know the word for this your Honor: it's called blackmail! |
Literature
- From Hugh Laurie's novel The Gun Seller:
"You followed me here." |
- In Lolita, Humbert corrects himself when fantasizing on how he will "blackmail" his wife Charlotte into letting him spend more time with Lolita, saying that "blackmail" is too harsh and suggesting "mauvemail" as a lighter term.
- Subverted in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged:
Rearden said calmly, "In my youth, this was called blackmail." |
- The horse is not yet completely dead: played 100% straight in the 2009 John Grisham book The Associate.
- Terl of Battlefield Earth has an obsession with finding "leverage" over his opponents that rivals J. Edgar Hoover.
- In the novel Foundation's Triumph, the "Three Laws"-Compliant robots must use this type of phrasing when they tell human mentallics it may be necessary to seriously harm Hari Seldon to stop what they view as another robot group's interference.
"It may become necessary..." |
- Lord Peter Wimsey himself engages in a little blackmail in one of the short stories, but he would of course not use that word.
- From the Tamora Pierce novel Lady Knight:
"That's blackmail," Kel said through a thick piece of bacon. |
- Eric Idle's Rutland Dirty Weekend Book contains a letter to critics in which Idle explicitly states they will be paid bribes for a good review of the book, and subject to physical violence for a bad review, and notes that blackmail is an ugly word, "but in this case, it's also a very accurate one."
- The novel And Here's To You has main female character Alicia Mitchell use this exact line on a co-worker at an office party. Partially Justified by the character's internal monologue revealing that she was directly quoting Bender from Futurama (see the second page quote above) when she did so.
- Variant: In the Lord Darcy novel Too Many Magicians, when the Marquis of London pressures Darcy to take a case, Master Sean calls it blackmail:
"'Blackmail' is perhaps too strong a word," Lord Darcy said thoughtfully, "but I will admit that no other is quite strong enough." |
- Inverted in The Culture novel The Player of Games. The protagonist is blackmailed by a drone and the drone actually says something like "What I'm doing to you is called blackmail." Presumably, since The Culture is a utopia, the protagonist might not actually know what blackmail is.
Live-Action TV
- From Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Xander: Blackmail is such an ugly word. |
- In Diff'rent Strokes, Arnold gets into a fight with the bullying son of the landlord's brother who is subbing for a short time. This leads to a loud confrontation where the brother confronts Mr. Drummond, threatens to evict the family and provokes Drummond to punch the blowhard out. Later, the Landlord comes to the Drummonds saying that he approved of his dumb brother being put in his place. He also exploits a lease violation that the brother found to raise the rent on the Drummonds, with a veiled threat of eviction to convince them to give in. When Drummond protests that this is blackmail, the landlord responds "I prefer to think of it as plea bargaining". The punchline is after the Drummonds cave in to this threat, the father tells the kids that this is the result of his act of violence. However, when asked if it was worth it, Mr. Drummond immediately remarks it was for having the pleasure of shutting a bully up.
- Inverted in an episode of Malcolm in the Middle. After Reese destroyed a new fridge via a hand grenade given to him by his grandfather, Hal sits down with his in-laws and asks for money to repair the damages and then some. His father-in-law believes this is a loan to be paid back. Hal calmly informs them that they endangered the children by bringing live munitions into the house and that he could have them arrested for that. He then proceeds to tell them "Don't think of it as a loan. Think of it as blackmail."
- Done in an episode of M*A*S*H.
BJ: Blackmail is such an ugly word. |
- Subverted in Jeeves and Wooster. Bertie gets blackmailed by his cousin, and sets her up for the line as such: "Are you blackmailing me?" Even though most of the characters can be rather verbose, she just looks at him for a moment and replies with a simple "Yes."
- Creed Bratton uses the trope name directly in the webisodes for The Office.
- Alias Smith and Jones:
Heyes: This is blackmail, Georgette. You know that. |
- In the K9 episode "The Custodians", a Misplaced Kindergarten Teacher is demanding ten million credits to shut down his mind-control once it proves to have horrific side-effects that even the Department don't like:
Inspector Thorne: You're blackmailing me? |
- Also used by Sam Axe in Burn Notice's prequel, The Fall of Sam Axe:
Admiral Gregory Maitland: That's blackmail! |
- Yes Minister gave us a version of this, when the black, male revolutionary leader of a small African nation threatens to give a strongly nationalist speech in Scotland unless the Government gives him £50m.
Sir Humphrey: It's blackmail! |
Puppet Shows
- Lampshaded and subverted on Greg the Bunny:
Leo: ... and I thought, what a coincidence! Your show is hiring a Singing Mailman and I... have your dirty tape? |
Radio
- A spoof of this trope, from the British radio series I'm Sorry:
John (Cleese): So... it's blackmail, is it? |
- Were those the guys who gave us this exchange?
Blackmail is such an ugly word. |
Tabletop Games
- Inverted in the Z-Man Productions card game Bell-Bottomed Badasses on the Mean Streets of Funk. "Extortion is such an ugly word. Me & the brothas prefer blackmail"
Theatre
- One of the examples given in the song "I Love a Film Cliche" from A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine is the trope name, word-for-word.
Video Games
Snake: So, you're blackmailing me? |
Web Original
- When Ayla and Jadis confront some would-be extortionists in the Whateley Universe:
Jadis: Ooh. That sounds like blackmail. And blackmail is such an ugly word. |
Web Comics
- Schlock Mercenary. Petey pulled this one:
Kevyn: That wasn't blackmail. That was, I don't know... passive extortion? |
- Played entirely straight in this Narbonic strip.
- From Soap on a Rope:
Max: Joe, you're blackmailing people! |
Scroggs: Blackmail is such a negative term. Let's call it Proactive Synergy Reallocation. |
- Exterminatus Now has a wonderful scene:
Lothar: You're blackmailing someone, aren't you? |
Western Animation
- From Futurama:
Bender: There's nothing wrong with murder. Just as long as you let Bender wet his beak. |
Examples of a different Ugly Word
Anime and Manga
- From FAKE:
Dee: So you are in cahoots with Berkeley after all, aren't you? I knew something was up. |
Comic Books
Jessica Duchamp: The painting. You're stealing it. |
Lisa: You fake the Mars missions here? |
Fan Works
- The Bleach fanfic Uninvited Guest, when it is claimed that Yumokin is being murdered rather than sacrificing his own life, he says "Murder is such a harsh word. Accurate, but harsh."
- Nilvac and Sebboh, from Calvin and Hobbes: The Series, react this way to being called "evil". They prefer "dark".
Film
- In Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Milo accuses the others on the expedition of being mercenaries, only to be told they "prefer the term 'adventure capitalist.'"
- In sequels to Aladdin, it's nearly Iago's catchphrase to say "Hate/traitor is such a strong word".
- Robin Hood:
Little John: You know sump'n, Robin, I was just wonderin' -- are we good guys or bad guys? You know, I mean, uh, our robbin' the rich to feed the poor... |
- In The Freshman, the following dialogue occurs near the end:
Clark: So this whole thing as been a scam? |
Gittes: She was cheating on him. Were you? |
- Parodied in Tron, when Alan Bradley goes to find out what Flynn knows about the hacker in ENCOM's system, figures out it's him, and asks if he's been embezzling. Flynn's response is a sarcastic, "Embezzling is such an ugly word, Mr. Bradley," followed by the actual explanation, that he was searching for the evidence that Dillinger's hit arcade games were, in fact, Flynn's.
- Accepted:
Bartleby Gaines: Eh, Stalking's an ugly word. I prefer obsessively shadowing. |
- From Spider-Man:
Peter Parker: Spider Man wasn't trying to attack the city… he was trying to save it. That's slander. |
- Inverted in Entrapment, when Mac explains to Virginia how he can frame her for a theft.
Virginia: I said this is called entrapment. |
- Doubled-up in Thor:
Thor: if... you return the items you have taken from Jane. |
Literature
- In fantasy settings, the thief may prefer a title like "Expert Treasure Finder". Especially if they are grouped with paladins.
- In The Hobbit, Gloin tells Bilbo, "You can say 'Expert Treasure-hunter' instead of 'Burglar' if you like."
- David Eddings uses this several times in his various book series. Silk is the patron saint of this trope.
- In the first Kingdom Keepers book, Wayne says that Finn would only "borrow" Walt Disney's pen, as oppose to stealing it. Possibly inspired by the exchange in Robin Hood, above.
- From "The Movie They Said Could Never Be Made" in The Joy of Clichés by Nigel Rees:
Dr. Big: You're just like all the others. You think I'm mad, don't you? |
- Informed by Harry Dresden that there've been two attempts on Harry's life since he was hired to follow him, a private investigator opts to discontinue his assignment, remarking that "accomplice" is an ugly word, as is "penitentiary".
- Discussed near the end of The Star Beast:
"In other words, boss," Greenberg said softly, "you are insisting on hostages." |
Live-Action TV
- In Farscape when Rygel is accused of "snurching" (Farscape-ese for "stealing"), he responds "I don't snurch, I... procure."
- Who's The Boss?, "Not With My Client You Don't": Angela's assistant calls "hooker" an ugly word and prefers "call girl".
- In the Blackadder Goes Forth episode "General Hospital", during a discussion of spying, Melchett becomes so concerned with what's "a dirty word" and what isn't that he loses touch with the actual subject entirely.
Melchett: "Security" isn't a dirty word, Blackadder. "Crevice" is a dirty word, but not "security". |
- Subverted in the M*A*S*H episode "The Price".
Klinger: Bribery is such an ugly word. Ugly, but fitting. |
- In the finale of Boston Legal:
Carl Sack: Fired is such an ugly word, Alan. An accurate one, but... |
Michael: You're forcing me to break into a weapons manufacturer? |
- Two nonsensical examples in A Bit of Fry and Laurie:
Stephen Fry: I dislike the word brothel, Mr. Jowett. I prefer to use the word brothels. Yes, this is a brothels. |
- An episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air:
Will: You hustled me! |
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: In the third season finale, when Buffy informed Wesley that she was through taking orders from the Watchers Council...
Wesley: This is mutiny! |
- In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Garak isn't pleased with Siskos' encouragement to help him with a rescue misson.
Garak: Commander, this is extortion! |
- In "The Scarlet Letter" episode of The Mentalist, the line is fairly self-explanatory.
Minelli: You abused a corpse to get a confession. |
- On an episode of Life, Charlie Crews abducts the Big Bad by waylaying his chauffeur and picking him up in his own car. When the victim points out that "this is a kidnapping," Charlie parks the car and begins to explain why he doesn't like that word and doesn't feel it applies in this case. The villain then says, "No, detective, you misunderstand me. This isn't a kidnapping. This is a kidnapping." Cue a tire iron smashing through Charlie's window.
- Castle has a suspect in one episode who isn't fond of the word "stalking". But he did follow the victim around for a few days....
- 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd:
Justin: I hate you! |
- The Comic Strip Presents episode "Space Virgins from the Planet Sex" has alien women needing human men to get them pregnant. They shy away from the term "sex slave" in favour of a description of being forced to have sex.
- The MacGuffin in one Hogan's Heroes episode is a collection of artwork taken from occupied France for a high-ranking German official's private collection—described as "not 'stolen'... 'confiscated'".
- From the Frasier episode "The Devil and Dr. Willly":
Babe: I'm just talking about having a little fun. After all, when I'm having fun, I'm happy. When I'm happy, I work harder. When I work harder, you become famous and powerful. Isn't that what you want? Fame and power? |
- From the Yes Prime Minister episode "A Conflict of Interest":
Hacker: You mean he's indiscreet? |
- Combined with Brief Accent Imitation in Lovejoy when some former soviets ask if an official is "Coorv-ed"
Tinker: I think he means "Bent" |
- Subverted in Haven:
Duke: Lying is such an ugly word...but yeah, I lied. |
Video Games
- In the German version of Kingdom Hearts II, Demyx responds to Goofy accusing him of being a thief with "Dieb – was für ein hässliches Wort!", meaning "Thief – what an ugly word!".
- Final Fantasy VI with Locke, and his insistence that he's not a thief, he's a "treasure hunter". Naturally, he often "hunts for treasure" in other people's homes. But press the issue and he might rip your lungs out. Or at least steal your clothes.
"Bah! Semantic nonsense!" |
Aleria: She's a sacrifice to your god?! |
- This exchange is brought up in Jak II when the words "forced labour trade" are mentioned:
Jak: You mean the slave trade? |
- From Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2:
HK-50: Clarification: "Assassin Droid" is such a crude term, master, reserved for durasteel drones with only the most archaic kill-programs. The function I perform has been referred to as "wanton slaughter". I prefer to see it as a means of facilitating communication, resulting in the termination of hostilities. |
Gene: This arm makes me popular among the hellish set. |
- Thief, while looting a ruined city:
Garrett: Archaeologist sounds so much more dignified than Thief. |
- In Geneforge V, a bandit argues over semantics.
Emogene: I object to the word "extort". It is an ugly term. We are helping them. If they are so tight with their coins that they can't pay us for this service, it is a good thing we are here to teach them manners. |
Web Comics
- Schlock Mercenary is in this category too, as seen here:
Petey: "Spy" is such a short ugly word. I prefer "espionage". Those three extra syllables really say something. |
- Then Kathryn argues that she didn't steal the ship. With its previous captain. (Alexia finds it amusing because they were compensated later, and because it was not nearly the worst part of that mess).
- The Order of the Stick
- Haley Starshine dislikes being called a thief. She prefers "Freelance Wealth Redistribution Specialist".
- Also:
Vaarsuvius: I negotiated an exchange with three gentlemen from... other planes of existence. Those in the ventral position. |
- Though that one isn't a distinction without a difference- the fiends don't get V permanently as "sold" would imply. Whether it's enough of a difference is a matter of opinion. Inkyrius didn't think so.
- Much like Haley, Mordekai from Irregular Webcomic is a "Loveable Rogue".
- In this Sluggy Freelance strip, the Evil Chancellor doesn't like the term "bad guy", prefering to be called "morally challenged".
- Inverted in Intragalactic:
Captain Glee: "Unofficial incentive" is such an ugly... pair of words. Let's just say I bribed you with full knowledge that I'm violating the law. |
- Mr. Butch from Chopping Block is not a "serial killer". He prefers another term.
- Gav in Nukees, in a way illuminating his character.
Gav: "Better" is such an ugly word... |
Stan: These creatures you treasure, they are as good as dead unless you follow my instructions to the letter. |
- Revolver Ocelot in The Last Days of Foxhound:
Revolver Ocelot: "Torture" is such an inelegant word. I'm an artist. Their testicles are my canvas. |
- Vexxarr sometimes has such distinctions:
Scavenger Bot: YOU ARE EVIL! |
- Day by Day presents: a "Brand Safety Marketer".
Web Original
- Similarly, this post [dead link] on the (now disused) old NationStates forums, memorialised in someone's signature:
Extortion is such a nasty word. |
- This demotivator. They're not pirates, they're preemtive nautical salvage experts.
- Genocide is such a harsh word...
Western Animation
- On Invasion America, this exchange takes place:
Cale Oosha: TREASON! |
- Codename: Kids Next Door, "Op LEADER": Chad calls "traitor" an ugly word. Which he isn't.
- In The Venture Brothers, the Guild of Calamitous Intent also don't like morally charged phrases like "good guys" or "bad guys", and insist people use "protagonist" and "antagonist" instead. In all fairness, with guys like Brock Sampson running around, it is a legitimate complaint.
- The Simpsons:
- Homer posing as 4th-grader:
Homer: (to Sherri) C'mon, why won't you go out with Bart? |
- Another Simpsons example:
Lisa: You're replacing me? |
- And another:
Marge: Did you jimmy open Mr. Burns' liquor cabinet? |
- SpongeBob SquarePants includes a variation in "Bucket Sweet Bucket".
Mr. Krabs: (takes the safe out from his throat) And I bet you tried to steal this, too. |
- Metalocalypse: The band members don't like talking about dying (when it's them); they prefer the term "hamburger time".