Certain specific words and word combinations are always used in certain, specific circumstances. Screams are always blood-curdling, tundras are always frozen and rivers are always raging. As Hurricane Gustav takes aim on New Orleans, residents are fleeing. Residents are always fleeing tropical storms (well, maybe not always). The definition of the word "flee" is as follows:
- –verb (used without object)
1. to run away, as from danger or pursuers; take flight.
2. to move swiftly; fly; speed. - –verb (used with object)
3. to run away from (a place, person, etc.).
The mental picture conjured by the word "flee" is as follows:
Now, that may very well be exactly what they're doing. Taking all things into consideration, including past history, it would be understandable. But couldn't we come up with another description, something a little more dignified?
- Evactualization
- Ditching an uninvited guest
- Doin' the FEMA Shuffle
- Pulling a dash-and-live
- Going out of town for a few days
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