Quite true.. Words are what we use to think with.. Change the words and you change what people think.. even how they think about what they think.. It seems peoples abilty to think is affected by the words they know.. A small vocabulary produces a small mindset.. But a small mindset that dwells on the truth is broader than a larger mindset that dwells on other than the truth.. Because some get confused by options..
Controlling the meaning of words can herd people as surely as a corral does.. The herd fails to recognize the corral as negative.. Human language is powerful...
Is a baby a baby or a fetus?.. Are "progressives" promoteing slavery by government or promoteing progress.?.. Are democrats for a voice for the common man or for MOB RULE their Mob?... Words are important when someone changes the meaning of a word, his agenda should be considered..
Still, I'm trying to "drill down" to the concept of symbols (words) being transformed (meanings) over time, via conscious "operators" devoted to this purpose. To transform a culture, you first have to "deculturate" the meanings of words as they have been historically understood.
'nuff said. You already know all this anyway.
Thank you so very much, hosepipe, for your excellent post/essay!