It behooves us to honor elocution (a manner of speaking in public) as learning opportunities, what eloquent teachers might call teachable moments.

Lately there have been several turns of phrase by speakers of English I never heard before. This may be a rampant trend in other languages; but English is the only one I understand.

An American military spokesperson responding to inquiry of a timetable for withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan said the first batch of soldiers would depart later this year “AFTER THE FIGHTING SEASON.”
Who knew that war was sport, that there’s even a season for it?

Braving really really cold weather, Russian citizens gathering in Moscow’s downtown to plead for free elections were queried to explain their cause. A teacher said it was hard to teach her students to be honest in a country “SATURATED WITH DECEIT.”
Who knew we had so much in common with Russians?

China’s next president Xi Jinping is paying a visit to America, including Iowa; and there’s much ado about relations between America and China. So naturally a Chinese official spoke right up and said between our two countries, there is a “TRUST DEFICIT.”
Who knew trust was quantifiable, like Lincoln pennies? Who knew Iowa was a place to visit?

Chicago’s mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks very well in public, for somebody born in Chicago; and is making a lot of decisions lately that impact a lot of people. Not everybody wants to be impacted so some decisions irk some folks. Asked why he was making a decision recently, about what I don’t recall, he said he now has “POWER CAPITAL” and is using it.
Who knew power was a commodity you acquire and spend? Well, okay. I guess that’s nothing new.