Nuclear option, n. Godwin's Law applied to armed conflict.

Mission, n. A chore, tarted up with flags and ribbons and waiting patiently at the altar for a marriage of convenience.

2005 PRESIDENT G.W. BUSH 27 Oct. "The 'Mission Accomplished' sign, of course, was put up by the members of the USS Abraham Lincoln, saying that their mission was accomplished."

2006 PRESIDENT G.W. BUSH 20 Dec. "I will tell you we're looking at all options. And one of those options, of course, is increasing more troops. But, in order to do so, there must be a specific mission that can be accomplished with more troops. And that's precisely what our commanders have said, as well as people who know a lot about military operations."

c. 1848 FERDINAND OF AUSTRIA "It is easy to govern, but what is difficult is to sign one's name."

Countless, adj. A number that, being higher than the author reckons the reader is able to count, naturally invites hysterical calumny and gives rise to a general sense of exasperation.

Murder, n. The criminal expenditure of lethal force on a person or persons subsequently determined to have been not worth killing.

Apologist, n. One who avoids apologizing, at great length and to anyone who will listen.