July 31, 1991

When Euphemisms are Used to Cover Bad Behavior.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines the word "zeal." Nunberg has noticed that the euphemism "overzealous" has been used to explain away everything from executions during the French Revolution to the beating of Rodney King.

04:18

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Contributor

Geoffrey Nunberg

Other segments from the episode on July 31, 1991

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, July 31, 1991: Interview with Thomas Friedman; Interview with Johnnie Johnson; Commentary on the word "zeal."

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July 31, 1991

22:13

The Middle East One Year After Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait.

New York Times correspondent Thomas Friedman. Friedman has spent the last decade covering the Middle East, work that has won him two Pulitzer Prizes. Today he looks at the current state of the Mideast, as we approach the first anniversary of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

Interview

Thomas L Friedman

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July 31, 1991

15:57

The True 'Johnny B. Goode."

Pianist JOHNNIE JOHNSON. For nearly 30 years, Johnson was Chuck Berry's pianist. He played on all of Chuck's great hits, and he gained rock and roll immortality when Chuck Barry wrote the song "Johnnie B. Goode" about him. Now Johnnie Johnson has his own album, called "Johnnie B. Bad." (It's on Elektra/Nonesuch).

Interview

Johnnie Johnson

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When Euphemisms are Used to Cover Bad Behavior.

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Other segments from the episode on July 31, 1991

The Middle East One Year After Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait.

The True 'Johnny B. Goode."

Transcript

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