glittering generality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Rhetorical Analysis
Quick answer
What does “glittering generality” mean?
An emotionally appealing but vague phrase used to invoke positive feelings without conveying concrete meaning or substance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An emotionally appealing but vague phrase used to invoke positive feelings without conveying concrete meaning or substance.
A rhetorical device, often in politics or advertising, employing abstract, virtuous words (e.g., 'freedom', 'progress', 'patriotism') to win approval without committing to specific details or policies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used identically in academic and political commentary on both sides of the Atlantic.
Connotations
Universally negative, implying intellectual dishonesty, oversimplification, or emotional manipulation.
Frequency
Equally low in both varieties, confined to specific contexts of rhetorical or media analysis.
Grammar
How to Use “glittering generality” in a Sentence
[Subject] criticised the [speech] for being a glittering generality.The politician's [promise] was dismissed as a mere glittering generality.His argument relied on glittering generalities rather than [specific evidence].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “glittering generality” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was accused of glittering-generalising instead of providing a budget.
- Politicians often glitter-generalise when under pressure.
American English
- The candidate's speech just glitter-generalized for twenty minutes.
- He's good at glittering-generalizing but weak on policy.
adverb
British English
- He spoke glitteringly generally about the future.
- The proposal was glitteringly general and lacked detail.
American English
- She answered glitteringly generally, avoiding all specifics.
- The ad campaign is glitteringly general in its appeal.
adjective
British English
- The debate was full of glittering-generality rhetoric.
- He gave a glittering-generality answer to a specific question.
American English
- Her glittering-generality speech failed to convince the policy wonks.
- We need substance, not glittering-generality promises.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used critically in analysis of corporate mission statements or advertising slogans perceived as empty.
Academic
Common in political science, communication studies, linguistics, and rhetoric when analysing propaganda or persuasive language.
Everyday
Very rare. Used by politically engaged or media-literate individuals to critique speeches or advertising.
Technical
A formal term in propaganda theory, often paired with 'name-calling' or 'card stacking' as a specific technique.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “glittering generality”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “glittering generality”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “glittering generality”
- Using it as a compliment (e.g., 'Her glittering generality inspired us all' – incorrect).
- Confusing it with a 'generalisation', which is a broad statement that may be true or false, not necessarily manipulative.
- Spelling error: 'glitering generality'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While often deceptive, it is specifically an emotionally appealing but vague statement. It avoids concrete claims that could be proven true or false, making it a form of manipulation rather than a direct factual falsehood.
No, it is almost exclusively a critical term. Using it to describe your own or an ally's statement would be self-contradictory, as it admits to using vague, substance-lacking language.
A specific, concrete, evidence-based statement or policy proposal. Antonyms include 'detailed plan', 'empirical data', or 'substantive argument'.
It is widely associated with the Institute for Propaganda Analysis (IPA), which in 1937 identified it as one of the seven basic propaganda devices used to sway public opinion without logical argument.
An emotionally appealing but vague phrase used to invoke positive feelings without conveying concrete meaning or substance.
Glittering generality is usually formal, academic, rhetorical analysis in register.
Glittering generality: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ ˌdʒɛnəˈrælɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡlɪt̬ɚɪŋ ˌdʒɛnəˈræləti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All sizzle and no steak”
- “Fine words butter no parsnips”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a piece of glitter-covered jewellery that catches your eye (the 'glittering' emotional appeal) but is actually made of cheap plastic (the 'generality' - no real substance).
Conceptual Metaphor
RHETORIC IS DECORATION (empty but attractive), ABSTRACT IDEAS ARE SHINY OBJECTS (attractive but insubstantial).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'glittering generality' most precisely and technically defined?