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<Proofreader>
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Avoidi g the political aspects of his actions, Paul Ryan entered a soup kitchen one night with a camera crew who filmed his washing what some said were clean dishes. The kitchen's director complained that Ryan hadn't been invited but "ramrodded" his way in past a volunteer.

The term was picked up by the media, none of whom seemed uncomfortable using it. However, I think the proper and more accurate term was "steamrollered". Any (non-political) judgments?
 
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Both words imply using a good deal of force. I think ramrodded is probably the better of the two words to use here, since it doesn't imply as much force as steamrolled. Either word, I think, is probably an exaggeration; I doubt that any great force was used. Perhaps "pushed his way in past a volunteer" would have been a better choice of words, though not as sensationalized.
 
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I've always thought of "ramrodded" as vigorously leading a group, or stirring it to action, and not necessarily with evil intent.


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
 
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Wordnik gives two definitions of ramrod used as a verb: "To exert strict control over; supervise closely." and "To force passage or acceptance of: a group that ramrodded the bill through Congress." Neither of those definitions fits the context.

I'm with Proof: "steamrollered" would be better.


Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
 
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Wordnik also gives three definitions of steamroller used as a verb:
quote:
v. To smooth or level (a road) with a steamroller.
v. To overwhelm or suppress ruthlessly; crush.
v. To move or proceed with overwhelming or crushing force.

None of those definitions fits either. That's why I suggested a less forceful verb be used, such as pushed, shoved, or even forced.
 
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I'd've gone with forced. I agree with tinman that "steamrollered" doesn't quite fit but I don't feel that "ramrodded" does either.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
 
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Why not, "shoved his way in past a volunteer?" Forget steamrollers and ramrods, cheeky, thoughtless pushiness is what it is.


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
 
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Yet, we all know what was meant, correct?
 
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Yes, we all knew that he forced himself in, but we really don't know how much force was used. I doubt a lot of force was used, which ramrodded implies. I suspect the reporter chose that word to sensationalize it. We do love to exaggerate and sensationalize things.
 
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I think, however, this discussion is similar to one in the times smaller thread. As in that thread, you know what is meant, so why the big deal?
 
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How about bullied his way in?


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
 
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"Bullied" implies threat; he was probably not threatening, just thoughtless, IMHO.


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
 
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quote:
I suspect the reporter chose that word to sensationalize it.

That was the quote from the kitchen's director, as reported. I think ramrodded has the implication of authority over another, which the crew did not have. Rather than bullied, perhaps bulled?

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"Bullied" implies threatening to me, Geoff.
 
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Reread my post, Kalleh; we agree.


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
 
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Ah...sorry about that. I do think "bullying" implies a threat, though not everyone does. "Ramrodding" is a direct threat.
 
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Depends on the receptivity of the ewe the ram is rodding, no? Roll Eyes


It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -J. Krishnamurti
 
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