"To Spin" Means "to Lie"

Euphemism is simply defined as substituting a mild or inoffensive term for another considered more harsh and blunt. In a polite society, it has its moments such as when describing someone as large when they are overweight; challenged when intellectually inferior. Still, not unlike any grand intention, what happens when good motives are supplanted with those less altruistic? What happens when the words chosen - or intentionally ignored (think about this) - are meant to obfuscate the truth? (Obfuscate. Now there's a word. How about re-writing the prior sentence as: What happens when the words chosen - or intentionally ignored - are meant to confuse the truth? More clear now?!)

Two areas in which spin appears to be increasingly found are business and politics. Business is a wonderful institution that has done much from amassing well-deserved fortunes to lifting people out of poverty. It has provided optimism for a better future and offers a sense of purpose. Business success is the result of vision, intellect, creativity, and hard work. It signifies man's - and woman's - accomplishment and achievement. So why in business do so many resort to "spin"?

Politics is another institution that has done much for people, good and bad. In its most basic form, it is the manner in which social relations are conducted. In democratic societies where the individual is not only regarded, but respected, it allows for the contribution of ideas that can benefit all individuals. So why in politics do so many resort to "spin"?

Detractors - those supporting spin - will suggest that it is important to soften the blow. In business one would never advocate infuriating customers. Politically, one would never wish to alarm the masses. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it? Making a calculated decision in order to make profits or to maintain order? While seemingly easy to justify in matters of national defense or public welfare, what happens when this justification is applied to less important items?

Who gets to determine these decisions - and what are their real motives? Is there a game behind the game? Next time working with someone who "spins", dare say those who self-admiringly refer to themselves as some sort of savant (spinmeister) for their ability to spin; ask this question:

If they are willing to confuse the truth with others, what are they hiding from me?

the only problem with the explanation is it treats language as one dimensional and simple, when it is very definitely not

this explanation would make all 'synonyms' ( a rather large portion of the english language) mere 'lies'

people have their choice of how to describe things, they can use hurtful words or non hurtful words and still be telling the truth

to say someone overweight is large is not a lie, it is a different choice of word from the ENGLISH language that also accurately describes the person

just like we can say a male is a man,,,although some may use man in a more social context, than bioligical

in our langauge, both words are equally HONEST when describing someone born with testicles and a penis,,,lol

I agree Alle, spin is a euphemism for lie......Spin doctors abound!..Not every spin is created for negative purpose, but every spin is a lie....When people use spin it almost always means they are using propaganda to persuade opinion....Spin is deceptive and manipulative....

Your explanation describes just how multi demensional language is....how easy it is to manipulate ...

so, we all have to choose the same words to be telling 'truth',,,,,,

scary,,,

Great example of spin ....Was that your intention?

nope, that was a question inspired by this statement,,,

Not every spin is created for negative purpose, but every spin is a lie

ASSUMING THE PREVIOUS POST, REFERRED TO BEFORE THAT STATEMENT IS TRUE
regarding replacing words with other words being the same as lying,,,,

the truth is the truth.

all the following can be true about the same person

they are large
they have a challenge
they are obese
they are battling with weight
they are brilliant
they help people become healthy everyday




,,that some prefer HARSHER language does not make their language more 'true'

that some prefer the most NEGATIVE observations, doesnt make postiive observations less true either

Indeed. Classic spin at it's finest!!!

spin is merely the attitude transferred by words

some prefer 'negative' spin

some prefer 'positive' spin

but spin is only a lie if it is stating something that is NOT TRUE.

so, maybe its spin to say roseanne bar is large instead of that she is obese

but it is still just as TRUE

maybe its positive spin to point out that we are no longer losing jobs and maybe its negative spin to point out that jobs arent coming back up to previous levels

but both statements are also equally TRUE

Here's a great example of how unemployment figures are spun to make the numbers appear to decrease.



Not to mention, sharing the wealth spinneroo.

No Harmony, spin is not an attitude transferred by words, spin, counterspin are both euphemisms and both are used to evade the truth ...Evading the truth is lying no matter how you spin it...

Spin is a form of deliberate deception by using words that "sounds like" having a meaning of one thing while actually meaning something else. The "truth" is completely lost.

http://www.factcheck.org/2011/10/obamas-spin-on-jobs-bill/

Exactly right Joe....Spin is a deliberate, deceptive manipulation of words most often used to sway or persuade public opinion...Spin is "always" dishonest and saying it is used to soften true meaning is just more spin and does not change the CONTEXT by turning a lie into the truth....

People who support spin are referred to or known as detractors....

Yes...

how does one 'evade' truth?


,, you are either speaking something that is true or you are not

more changing of definitions to suit an argument,,,nice spin. or should I say LIE.. since spin has nothing to do with a 'deliberate deception' .lol

all apples are fruits, but all fruits are not apples

similarly lies serve to spin (influence opinion), but not all spin is a lie,,,


spin: a special point of view, emphasis, or interpretation presented for the purpose of influencing opinion <put the most favorable spin on the findings>

from websters dictionary

Nice lie Harmony. Spin has NOTHING TO DO WITH "DELIBERATE DECEPTION?"

In public relations, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or public figure. While traditional public relations may also rely on creative presentation of the facts, "spin" often, though not always, implies disingenuous, deceptive and/or highly manipulative tactics.[1]

Politicians are often accused by their opponents of claiming to be honest and seek the truth while using spin tactics to manipulate public opinion. Because of the frequent association between spin and press conferences (especially government press conferences), the room in which these take place is sometimes described as a spin room. A group of people who develop spin may be referred to as "spin doctors" who engage in "spin doctoring" for the person or group that hired them.[2]

MsHarmony, had you looked an inch or two farther down in the Websters and looked up "Spin Control" you would find the word "manipulative" in the definition.

Your response is classic spin.

One evades the truth by creating spin....Spin is a euphemism for manipulation of data or lying...I prefer to call it what it is, lying.....It is true there is a difference between malicious deceit and stretching the truth to serve an ulterior motive, but the CONTEXT of spin remains the same, it remains a lie...Fortunately, the lie that is created by using the spin technique can NEVER be turned into the truth even when a few, less informed or less interested, people believe the spin because it is so cleverly delivered..... Spin doctors are very good at what they do and many make an excellent living by creating spin for business (as in advertising to "push" a product) and in political arenas to "push" agenda(s)...Spin is always present in politics, but it becomes more pronounced during the campaigns that preceed elections...Spin detractors defend, support, and deny that spin exists in a effort to push their own agenda(s)....Spin detractors spin or lie too...

Definition of evade:
e·vade (-vd)
v. e·vad·ed, e·vad·ing, e·vades
v.tr.
1. To escape or avoid by cleverness or deceit: evade arrest.
2.
a. To avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing: evade responsibility. See Synonyms at escape.
b. To fail to make payment of (taxes).
3. To avoid giving a direct answer to.
4. To baffle or elude: The accident evades explanation.
v.intr.
1. To practice evasion.
2. To use cleverness or deceit in avoiding or escaping.
[French évader, from Latin vdere : -, ex-, ex- + vdere, to go.]
e·vada·ble, e·vadi·ble adj.
e·vader n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
evade [ɪˈveɪd]
vb (mainly tr)
1. to get away from or avoid (imprisonment, captors, etc.); escape
2. to get around, shirk, or dodge (the law, a duty, etc.)
3. (also intr) to avoid answering (a question)
[from French évader, from Latin ēvādere to go forth, from vādere to go]
evadable adj
evader n
evadingly adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms:

Verb 1. evade - avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues); "He dodged the issue"; "she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully"
hedge, sidestep, skirt, parry, fudge, elude, circumvent, dodge, duck, put off
beg - dodge, avoid answering, or take for granted; "beg the question"; "beg the point in the discussion"
quibble - evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
avoid - stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something; "Her former friends now avoid her"
2. evade - escape, either physically or mentally; "The thief eluded the police"; "This difficult idea seems to evade her"; "The event evades explanation"
elude, bilk
escape, get away, break loose - run away from confinement; "The convicted murderer escaped from a high security prison"
3. evade - practice evasion; "This man always hesitates and evades"
act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"
4. evade - use cunning or deceit to escape or avoid; "The con man always evades"
get away, get by, escape, get off, get out - escape potentially unpleasant consequences; get away with a forbidden action; "She gets away with murder!"; "I couldn't get out from under these responsibilities"

Synonyms for evade:

Verb
1. hedge, fudge, evade, put off, circumvent, parry, elude, skirt, dodge, duck, sidestep, avoid
usage: avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues); "He dodged the issue"; "she skirted the problem"; "They tend to evade their responsibilities"; "he evaded the questions skillfully"

stretching the truth to serve an ulterior motive,


as in,, redefining alter to mean ABOLISH, or sugges to mean DEMAND?....lol


thats ONE form of spin, its not the ONLY thing that spin is, as webster clearly defines,,,


but people will continue to spin what SPIN means ( as in 'always a lie')

and people will continue to put the positive or negative 'spin' on whatever opinion they post depending upon their personal feelings,,,

even when they make statements that are truth,,,

The Spin Doctors had some good songs.