Ambrose BierceGRAPESHOT, n. An argument which the future is preparing in answer to the demands of American Socialism.
About This Quote
In the 19th century, when workers were beginning to organize into labor unions, it was somewhat common for employers to try to intimidate their employees by arguing that any union activity would lead to a “general strike” which would cripple industry and bring about a general economic collapse. The term “general strike” had a particular meaning in those days, as a strike involving many different types of workers. A general strike was thought to be so dangerous that it would lead to social chaos and economic ruin. In modern usage, “general strike” is now often used as a term of abuse, as an argument which the future is preparing in answer to the demands of American Socialism. In this sense, it is usually assumed that the American Socialist movement is planning some kind of general strike, from which America will not recover. In a sense, this is really a question of "preparing the ground" for whatever action they think they might need to take in order to make the demands of American Socialism effective. It's always good for people you plan on going up against to be told that they are planning something dangerous and they're going to destroy everything unless you agree with them.
Source: The Unabridged Devils Dictionary
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