Even language is inherently heightist.

Small Talk

post #1

04-17-2024 at 03:50 pm

Think about the following phrases in English.

“To look up to someone” - To admire someone, this person sets the standard
“To look down on someone” - To deem someone inferior
“Punching up” - To take on a challenge greater than oneself
“Punching down” - To pick on those lesser than oneself
“To be above something/someone” - Being too good for a certain task/person
“He is beneath me” - I will not reduce myself to his standard
“To lower oneself” - To exhibit morally inferior behavior
“Taking the high road” - Walking the path of honor
“Taking the low road” - Taking the dishonorable path
“To rise above” - Exceeding expectations, overcoming challenges
“To fall short” - Not meeting expectations, failing, not being enough
“Short-changing someone” - Not giving someone back enough money
Short position (trading) - Expecting something will lose value
Long position (trading - Expecting something will gain value
“Lick up, kick down” - Glaze your superiors, haze your inferiors
“Walking tall” - Walking with pride and dignity
“Standing tall” - Standing with pride and dignity
“Being the bigger man” - Exhibiting more honor and virtue than your opponent
“The little guy” (politics) - The common people, those without power in society
“Standing on the shoulders of giants” - Relying on the achievements of great predecessors
“To be head and shoulders above” - Being significantly better than
“To be dwarfed by” - Having either your size or your achievements eclipsed
“Belittling someone” - Making someone out to be/feel lesser
“Upgrade” - Improvement
“Downgrade” - Deterioration