Reader Cagey sends in this example of so-called on CNN: Bush adviser quits after appearing in swift boat ad:
As a so-called 527 group, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is barred from coordinating efforts with an election campaign.
Unfortunately, the authors of this enlightened piece do not actually misuse so-called correctly. Matthew Hoye or Phil Hirshkorn (Hi, fellows! I know you’re going to Google yourselves sometime!) uses so-called as a synonym for what is known as or also known as, which shortcuts the true power of the idiotm.
No, fellows, to properly use so-called to denigrate the noun it modifies, to diminish and sneer with journalistic “sophistication” by using this term, you should have written:
As a 527 group, Swift Boat so-called Veterans for so-called Truth is barred from coordinating efforts with a so-called election campaign.
Behold the true power!
