A selection of words and terminology that you may encounter as you explore my thesis – defined here with the meanings most pertinent to how I use them, or intend for them to be understood. In most cases, a reference to a corroborating online source is provided.
aggrandizement: to make greater in power, status, rank, reputation, etc.; to widen in scope, increase in size or intensity, enlarge, expand1
anti-heroic: a protagonist / main character in a narrative work lacking in heroic qualities2
asshat: (slang) one who wears their ass as a hat, i.e. has their head up their ass3
asshattery: (slang) acts or activities committed by asshats; used as one might use “foolishness” or “douchebaggery.” e.g.: Last night’s debate was an astounding display of asshattery.
burlesque: a parody, or comically exaggerated imitation; an artistic composition that vulgarizes lofty material, or treats the ordinary with mock dignity 4
caricature: a picture or description which ludicrously exaggerates the peculiarities of defects of persons or things5
cynicism: a scornful or jaded negativity; a belief that people are motivated by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons6
Focus on the Family: a dominionist evangelical organization that devotes much of its energy and attention to political matters yet strangely remains non-profit. Heavily influential in the election and re-election of President George W. Bush. Founded and led by Dr. James Dobson.7
gender: the state of being male or female, in reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones8
irony: the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; an outcome contrary to what was, or might have been, expected; an indirect presentation of a contradiction between an action or expression and the context in which it occurs9
meme: a cultural item or idea that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the propagation of biological genes.10
‘mo: (slang) a casual, affectionate term for a gay/lesbian self-identified person – reclaimed from the derogatory “homo”11
mock-heroic: a form of satire in which trivial subjects, characters or events are treated with the elevated language and elaborate devices characteristic of the heroic style12
politics: the science or art of political government; political principles or opinions13
pop culture: a contraction of popular culture; that which is most strongly represented by what is perceived to be popular among society; a commercial culture mass-produced for mass-consumption.14
sass: (slang) having a spirited attitude; possessing an impertinent, insolent, or saucy quality; derived from “sassy”15
self-deprecatory: belittling or undervaluing oneself16
self-referential: referring to oneself or itself; reference made to one’s own experience17
snark: (slang) combination of “snide” and “remark”; sarcasm18
the media machine: an unofficial grouping of mass media outlets, regarded as an interconnected self-feeding system for propagating messages and memes
