Eight or nine years ago, at a noontime Bible study, when a member of the group has just lost his job, the group began talking about all the words we use to express that fact. Since then I have stored up more terminology. Here's some of it.
In this failing economy, when the "reduction notifications" are given out, is it because the worker's position has been "eliminated" or is the firm "downsizing" as it "outsources" certain departments?
Workers used to be simply "fired," "laid off," or "dismissed." Not any longer. Now they "part company" as the firm "regroups" or "merges."
The person in charge tries to find a more human way to express what always comes with some sense of personal failure. One group member observed that "terminated" sounded far too final, but "deleted" is still used by some companies. I am amused byt he employer who would like to "help you succeed elsewhere" rather than just "letting you go," which has a rather casual, tossed aside sound to it. But then doesn't "losing your job" sound careless, as if it belongs in the category of mislaid umbrellas or straying gloves?
In these turbulent times, as more and more folks hear some form of the above, the terminology, whatever it might be, still conveys an end to something that delivers a blow to the worker who will no longer be doing that.
Many of these workers convey a resiliency which I admire. I am in awe at the one who said to me that "receiving her pink slip" was the best thing that ever happened to her as it forced her to rethink what she was doing with her gifts and her happiness. Others have expressed a calm confidence that another door will open.
No matter what the word spinner says, the job issue remains a critical piece of the American economic morass. No matter what words those spinners invent, the challenge to one's self esteem leaves a wound that has to heal.
Amidst all the disappointments and the linguistics, we need to stand on as firm a place as we can find. Try reading Isaiah 43, when another world seems to be imploding. Why not treasure in your heart: "You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you... Do not fear for I am with you."
Good words for any day.