And then there is that amusing, indecorous, rollicking, but unfair
word "Blimp." Here again, it is not the word itself, but the expansion which has been given to it which may become a danger. People are tempted to transfer this word to any person over a certain age who wields authority. It may prove a valuable weapon against pompousness and stagnation. But it becomes dangerous when used indis- criminately to deride experience. The careless use of these tempting slogans falsifies, not merely our sense of proportion, but our actual focus. I cannot but feel, for instance, that it was the intrusion of such slogans which prevented so large a section of the Press and public from taking a more con- sidered view of the resignation of Mr. Hore-Belisha. The House of Commons, on Tuesday (having had more time to think about it) was more judicious. The sense of proportion, the accuracy of focus were recovered. Yet in the meantime much harm had been occasioned to public confidence by intemperate assumptions, and judgements based upon a distortion of the facts
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